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?

209,816 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post. visa virtual card with Bitcoin

    Reply

  2. รวมสล็อตแตกง่าย พร้อมอัพเดทใหม่ล่าสุด เกม slot

    Reply

  3. 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. techbizhunt

    Reply

  4. 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. techbizhunt

    Reply

  5. Just about the most beneficial phrase in this particular beneficial subject theme which might be found on the on the web… Seo service

    Reply

  6. If you’re looking to boost your Instagram Likes, SMM Panel One is a great site to consider. This award-winning platform has become a top choice for buying Instagram likes in 2023. Buying likes can be a quick and easy way to increase your reach. And when it comes to buying Instagram likes, SMM Panel One is one of the best sites out there. In fact, we come to the top list of the best sites for buying Instagram likes in 2023.

    Reply

  7. 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. healthlyfitnesstips

    Reply

  8. 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. healthlyfitnesstips

    Reply

  9. Wonderful blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers? Because I’m going to start my website soon, but I’m a little lost on everything. Many thanks! free coins scatter slots

    Reply

  10. This substance is as shown by an overall perspective keeping up and inventive. I have been picking an institutional move and this has helped me with one viewpoint. worldnewshive

    Reply

  11. 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. usanewsfeeds

    Reply

  12. Hello! Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful information. It is quite interesting. Rustomjee La Vie Familia is a new launch project located at Majiwada Kapurbawdi Thane West by Rustomji. Contact us on Rustomjee La Vie Majiwada

    Reply

  13. 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. usanewsfeeds

    Reply

  14. I was looking for another article by chance and found your article totosite I am writing on this topic, so I think it will help a lot. I leave my blog address below. Please visit once.

    Reply

  15. Very efficiently written information. It will be beneficial to anybody who utilizes it, including me. Keep up the good work. For sure i will check out more posts. This site seems to get a good amount of visitors. dark web sites

    Reply

  16. I will right away snatch your rss as I can not to find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please permit me recognize in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
    slot pulsa tanpa potongan

    Reply

  17. What is TikTok? TikTok is a social media platform for creating, sharing and discovering short videos. The app is used by young people as an outlet to express themselves through singing, dancing, comedy, and lip-syncing, and allows users to create videos and share them across a community. https://www.tiktok.com/@ark54321

    Reply

  18. I will right away snatch your rss as I can not to find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please permit me recognize in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
    slot demo

    Reply

  19. Hey what a brilliant post I have come across and believe me I have been searching out for this similar kind of post for past a week and hardly came across this. Thank you very much and will look for more postings from you.
    slot olympuss

    Reply

  20. I have browsed most of your posts. This post is probably where I got the most useful information for my research. newstravelworld

    Reply

  21. We have sell some products of different custom boxes.it is very useful and very low price please visits this site thanks and please share this post with your friends. dark web links

    Reply

  22. 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. dark web sites

    Reply

  23. UFABET สมัครง่าย เว็บตรงยูฟ่าออนไลน์ เว็บคาสิโนออนไลน์ บาคาร่าสด แทงบอล สล็อตพีจี ครบวงจรที่เดียว ฝาก-ถอนออโต้ 30วินาที UFA – ยูฟ่า อันดับ1 ufabetstar365d

    Reply

  24. UFA7-11 UFABET เว็บไซต์พนันออนไลน์ คาสิโนออนไลน์ ที่สมบูรณ์แบบที่สุด มีความ มั่นคง และ บริการเยี่ยม ที่สุด ยูฟ่าเบท ยังคงครอบเป็นอันดับ 1d

    Reply

  25. ufavip666 เว็บบาคาร่าออนไลน์รวมทุกค่ายพนันชื่อดัง เล่นเซ็กซี่บาคาร่า ufavip666 ฟรีเครดิต ได้เงินจริง เว็บรวมคาสิโนออนไลน์ทุกค่าย มีสูตรบาคาร่าให้ทดลองใช้ฟรีd

    Reply

  26. I have browsed most of your posts. This post is probably where I got the most useful information for my research. lastednews

    Reply

  27. The weather has gotten a lot colder. I hope you dress warmly and drink lots of warm water so that you don’t catch a cold because it’s suddenly gets cold. This cold is very strong

    토토사이트

    Reply

  28. I suddenly remembered a site that I had forgotten for a long time, so I came to visit. I see so many good comments. I was so impressed. I will visit again next time

    카지노사이트

    Reply

  29. I have browsed most of your posts. This post is probably where I got the most useful information for my research. lastednews

    Reply

  30. It’s such a good site for me. I came to visit during a difficult time, and it was a deep comfort to me. I will be very grateful and visit again to get consolation

    카라사이트

    Reply

  31. 카라사이트

    The author’s expertise on the subject was evident throughout the post, making it a valuable resource for industry professionals

    Reply

  32. Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Big thanks for the useful info. dark web

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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