Important Determinants of Health

As local communities continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the population and resource availability becomes increasingly important. Accessibility and affordability of healthcare are crucial during these times, as the virus does not discriminate against whom it affects. While the pandemic has caused changes in everyone’s lives, individuals without health insurance, access to transportation, and access to mental health services are a part of the population that is being particularly negatively affected.

To focus on the specific challenges faced by a local community during this pandemic, this blog will focus on the Albany, New York area and its population (1).

Health Insurance

In the U.S., there are over 28 million uninsured individuals (2). It can be incredibly expensive to try and afford basic care without health insurance, and patients without health insurance are limited in the providers they can see and make appointments with. Uninsured people are therefore far less likely to get medical care, which means they are not receiving yearly checkups and don’t have access to preventative measures, such as cancer screenings or blood pressure tests. In many cases, medical care is only sought in emergencies.

While the uninsured rate in New York has decreased in recent years, there are few options for those that are uninsured in Albany. One of these options is Surya Immediate Medical Care– while not currently accepting any ill patients due to the pandemic, the center accepts patients without insurance and allows self-payments. A new visit costs $150, while an established visit costs $100. Charges for additional services like strep tests and x-rays are listed on their website. For dental health, Aspen Dental in Albany is a practice that provides free exams and x-rays on the first visit, without insurance.

Access to Transportation

Being able to make an appointment is one thing, but actually getting to the doctor’s office is another– access to transportation is something that can often prevent patients from receiving the healthcare they need. One of the COVID-19 testing sites in Albany is at SUNY Albany. However, to be tested, individuals need transportation to the testing site and must be in a vehicle when they are being tested. Some resources that provide transportation include UberHealth, Medanswering services for individuals with Medicaid, and CDTA transit for Albany county resident seniors over the age of 60.

More recently, some mobile testing sites have become available and are listed here, which can allow some individuals to have access to testing without needing transportation, depending on where they live.

Mental Health Services

Mental health is an equally large component and contributor to overall health and wellbeing as physical health. With the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals are experiencing loneliness, anxiety, and other mental health issues as daily lifestyles have changed due to quarantine and social interaction is limited. To try and support individuals at home, some hotlines have become available 24/7 or throughout the week to provide help. A COVID-19 support line is available at (518) 269-6634, from 8 am to 8 pm every day. Additional hotlines and mental health resources in Albany are listed here.

While the Albany area has begun to respond to changes in healthcare availability and accessibility due to the pandemic, there are still some areas that can be improved upon, such as increased access to basic care and preventative services for people who are uninsured. Additionally, access to health insurance, transportation, and mental health services are only a few of the determinants of health and wellbeing– what do you think your local community can improve upon when it comes to the health of its population?

138,694 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. Thanks for writing such a good article, I stumbled onto your blog and read a few post. I like your style of writing. Investment scam

    Reply

  2. Your post is very helpful to get some effective tips to reduce weight properly. You have shared various nice photos of the same. I would like to thank you for sharing these tips. Surely I will try this at home. Keep updating more simple tips like this. 中文補習老師

    Reply

  3. Nice to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Well this article that i’ve been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article. Thanks, great share. Financial recovery

    Reply

  4. Yoga online Circle, Your personal space Wellness to evolve Life coach, transform and explore. To deepen a regular practice Coaching, we can all use the yoga to heal the body

    Reply

  5. I truly welcome this superb post that you have accommodated us. I guarantee this would be valuable for the vast majority of the general population. 中文補習

    Reply

  6. Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any recommendations? IKARIA LEAN BELLY JUICE

    Reply

  7. เข้าร่วมความตื่นเต้นกับคาสิโนออนไลน์ที่ปลอดภัยที่สุดที่มีเกมคลาสสิกของไฮโล มาร่วมสนุกเดิมพันสูงที่ betflix6666 ที่ซึ่งลูกเต๋าไม่เคยหยุดหมุนและเงินรางวัลไม่เคยหยุดไหล

    Reply

  8. The free Instagram likes trial can be a useful tool for gaining more followers and increasing engagement on your posts.The process is simple: you sign up for a free trial, and the service will automatically start sending likes to your posts and the great thing about these Free Instagram Likes trials is that they are simple and straightforward. You don’t have to fill out any surveys or provide any personal information all you need to do is sign up and start using the service With the right trial.

    Reply

  9. Extraordinary blog. I took pleasure in scrutinizing your articles. This is extremely a marvelous scrutinized for me. I have bookmarked it and I am suspecting examining new articles. Continue doing magnificent! thesportseffect

    Reply

  10. “Would just like to say many thanks for a incredible post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the fantastic jo.

    메이저놀이터

    Reply

  11. I am extremely delighted in for this web journal. Its a useful subject. It help me all that much to take care of a few issues. Its chance are so awesome and working style so rapid. 中文補習

    Reply

  12. I’ve never seen such a good article in my life. I was so touched by your writing I hope you continue to write good things like this I hope you have a good day with me I pray that every day will be a pleasant day

    https://yogdev.com/

    Reply

  13. It is truly a well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so engaged in this material that I couldn’t wait reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thanks. 토토사이트

    Reply

  14. I’ve been troubled for several days with this topic. casinocommunity, But by chance looking at your post solved my problem! I will leave my blog, so when would you like to visit it?

    Reply

  15. This is a truly good site post. Not too many people would actually, the way you just did. I am really impressed that there is so much information about this subject that have been uncovered and you’ve done your best, with so much class. If wanted to know more about green smoke reviews, than by all means come in and check our stuff. 토토사이트

    Reply

  16. Once you have selected an Lahore Escorts, you should make sure that you have all the necessary information about them. This includes their contact details, their rates and the services they offer. You should also make sure that you have their pictures.Once you have all the information, you can now contact the escort and schedule an appointment. You should always make sure that you have all the required documents with you. This includes your passport and visa.

    Reply

  17. A debt of gratitude is in order for posting this information. I simply need to tell you that I simply look at your site and I discover it exceptionally fascinating and educational. I can hardly wait to peruse bunches of your posts. 中文補習

    Reply

  18. Wow, superb weblog structure! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging glance easy. The total look of your web site is excellent, neatly as the content material!

    Reply

  19. Truly, this article is really one of the very best in the history of articles. I am a antique ’Article’ collector and I sometimes read some new articles if I find them interesting. And I found this one pretty fascinating and it should go into my collection. Very good work! 스포츠토토

    Reply

  20. You make so many great points here that I read your article a couple of times. Your views are in accordance with my own for the most part. This is great content for your readers. fqa

    Reply

  21. I don t have the time at the moment to fully read your site but I have bookmarked it and also add your RSS feeds. I will be back in a day or two. thanks for a great site. gpostingfirm

    Reply

  22. I don t have the time at the moment to fully read your site but I have bookmarked it and also add your RSS feeds. I will be back in a day or two. thanks for a great site. gpostingfirm

    Reply

  23. I’m constantly searching on the internet for posts that will help me. Too much is clearly to learn about this. I believe you created good quality items in Functions also. Keep working, congrats! SEO company

    Reply

  24.  If someone week i really ashen-haired not actually pretty, whether you will lite grope a present, thought to follow us to displays bursting with ends of the earth considerably? Inside the impeccant previous, sea ever have dried-up, my hubby and i only may very well be with all of you connected thousands of samsara. 新樓設計

    Reply

  25. Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and new initiatives in the same niche. Blog gave us useful information to work. You have done an amazing job!  iphone xs price in malaysia

    Reply

  26. Our qualified and experienced staff are experts in all aspects of the property market, from individual residences and major development projects, to shopping centres, office buildings, medical centres, corporate and government portfolios. Residential Property Valuations

    Reply

  27. lified and experienced staff are experts in all aspects of the property market, from individual residences and major development projects, to shopping centres, office buildings, medical centres, corporate and government portfolios. Residential Property Valuations

    Reply

  28. The blog you have written is precise. For some reason I found great interest in reading it and I would like to share it as well. 먹튀검증

    Reply

  29. Great post i must say and thanks for the information. Education is definitely a sticky subject. However, is still among the leading topics of our time. I appreciate your post and look forward to more home cleaning new york 搬屋公司

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *