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?

189,866 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. I am impressed. I don’t think Ive met anyone who knows as much about this subject as you do. You are truly well informed and very intelligent. You wrote something that people could understand and made the subject intriguing for everyone. Really, great blog you have got here. แทงบอลขั้นต่ำ 10 บาท

    Reply

  2. UFABET เว็บตรง แทงบอลออนไลน์ มือถือ ยูฟ่าเบท ฝาก-ถอน ใน 3 นาที สมัครสมาชิกรับเครดิตฟรี พร้อมโปรโมชั่นอีกมากมาย เพียงแอดไลน์ Line: @UFA88v4 ยูฟ่าเบท

    Reply

  3. UFABET เว็บตรง แทงบอลออนไลน์ มือถือ ยูฟ่าเบท ฝาก-ถอน ใน 3 นาที สมัครสมาชิกรับเครดิตฟรี พร้อมโปรโมชั่นอีกมากมาย เพียงแอดไลน์ Line: @UFA88v4 ยูฟ่าเบท

    Reply

  4. The posh distributed could be described as distinctive; customers are actually yearning for bags is a Native aspirations. Which strange surroundings is built that is to market diversity furthermore importance with travel and leisure market trends. hotels special offers boyntech

    Reply

  5. Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated. boyntech

    Reply

  6. I simply desired to thank you so much yet again. I’m not certain what I would’ve handled without the type of advice shared by you directly on this problem. This was an absolute difficult situation in my view, nevertheless being able to see this professional strategy you solved that forced me to cry with happiness. I will be happy for this support and thus believe you know what a powerful job you were carrying out educating the others all through your website. I’m certain you’ve never met all of us. boyntech

    Reply

  7. Thanks for the information provided! I was researching for this article for a long time, but I was not able to see a dependable source. boyntech

    Reply

  8. แทงบอล แทงบอลผ่านมือถือ ทั้ง บอลเต็ง บอลเดี่ยว บอลสเต็ป3 แทงบอลฟรีเครดิต แทงบอลขั้นต่ำ 10 บาท รับโบนัสฟรีทุกวัน 24 ชม LINE: @ufa88v4 แทงบอลไม่มีขั้นต่ำ

    Reply

  9. As I web site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling fantastic , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck. boyntech

    Reply

  10. A lot of thanks for all of the hard work on this blog. My niece takes pleasure in engaging in internet research and it is simple to grasp why. We learn all relating to the compelling method you make helpful suggestions by means of your blog and therefore attract contribution from visitors on this area while my princess is discovering a lot of things. Have fun with the rest of the new year. You’re carrying out a very good job. boyntech

    Reply

  11. This was an incredible post. Really loved studying your site post. Your data was very informative and helpful. I think you’ll proceed posting and updating frequently. Looking forward to your subsequent one. boyntech

    Reply

  12. Truly I partake in your site with successful and helpful data. It is incorporated exceptionally decent post with a ton of our resources.thanks for share. I partake in this post. helpful resources

    Reply

  13. แทงบอล แทงบอลผ่านมือถือ ทั้ง บอลเต็ง บอลเดี่ยว บอลสเต็ป3 แทงบอลฟรีเครดิต แทงบอลขั้นต่ำ 10 บาท รับโบนัสฟรีทุกวัน 24 ชม LINE: @ufa88v4 แทงบอลไม่มีขั้นต่ำ

    Reply

  14. The “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection to the Server” error is a message displayed by the Safari web browser when it encounters difficulties in establishing a secure connection with a particular website.

    Reply

  15. Thank you so much as you have been willing to share information with us. We will forever admire all you have done here because you have made my work as easy as ABC. behance elpapa

    Reply

  16. Really I enjoy your site with effective and useful information. It is included very nice post with a lot of our resources.thanks for share. i enjoy this post. MPO777

    Reply

  17. Awesome article, it was exceptionally helpful! I simply began in this and I’m becoming more acquainted with it better! Cheers, keep doing awesome! MPO777 RTP

    Reply

  18. This is an awesome motivating article.I am practically satisfied with your great work.You put truly extremely supportive data. Keep it up. Continue blogging. Hoping to perusing your next post
    ufabet24k.co

    Reply

  19. Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently! kerassentials

    Reply

  20. Much obliged to you since you have been willing to impart data to us. we will constantly see the value in all you have done here since I realize you are extremely worried about our.

    Reply

  21. Much obliged to you since you have been willing to impart data to us. we will constantly see the value in all you have done here since I realize you are extremely worried about our. click this site

    Reply

  22. I read all the posts on your blog during the vacation. I can’t get enough of it no matter how many times I read it.

    Reply

  23. I was surfing the Internet for information and came across your blog. I am impressed by the information you have on this blog. It shows how well you understand this subject click here for more details 토토사이트

    Reply

  24. To setup Linksys RE6350 AC1200, you need to follow a set of steps that are given on this page. Using the AC1200 Wireless Range Extender to increase the wireless network coverage by increasing its length and signal power

    Reply

  25. Spot on with this write-up, I truly think this website needs much more consideration. I’ll probably be again to read much more, thanks for that info. glucotrust

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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