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?

202,257 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. What do you think are the best online betting sites in the world?
    In Europe, there are already a lot of famous websites, but in Korea,
    this news board is the best.
    안전놀이터

    Reply

  2. Gabung sekarang juga di situs kami Okeplay777, banyak bonus dan hadiah yang bisa kalian dapatkan. Agen situs judi online yang Aman dan Terpercaya di Indonesia, dengan adanya RTP yang akurat kalian pasti akan mudah cuan di situs kami. Cepat tunggu apa lagi, buruan gabung sekarang juga.

    https://kuko-forum.name/

    Reply

  3. صدور فاکتور فروش با اکسس

    دانش مدیا danesh media بزرگترین پلتفرم اشتراک گذاری فایل های آموزشی ، آموزش نرم افزار ها و کتاب ها و نمونه سوالات میباشد. پشتیبانی محصولات…

    Reply

  4. صدور بارنامه با اکسس

    دانش مدیا danesh media بزرگترین پلتفرم اشتراک گذاری فایل های آموزشی ، آموزش نرم افزار ها و کتاب ها و نمونه سوالات میباشد. پشتیبانی محصولات…

    Reply

  5. صدور فاکتور رسمی با اکسس

    دانش مدیا danesh media بزرگترین پلتفرم اشتراک گذاری فایل های آموزشی ، آموزش نرم افزار ها و کتاب ها و نمونه سوالات میباشد. پشتیبانی محصولات…

    Reply

  6. Awesome article, it absolutely was exceptionally helpful! I merely began in this and I’m becoming more acquainted with it better! Cheers, keep doing awesome!

    Reply

  7. I really want to say thank you to you for giving me a lot of positive influences 토토사이트 I think it’s the best article I’ve ever written this year

    Reply

  8. i can see lots of free music on the internet but most of them are pirated. *incorporate company in Singapore 캡사이트

    Reply

  9. I couldn’t resist writing comments. “All successful people men and women are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal or purpose.” by Brian Tracy..acim CAB PORTAL

    Reply

  10. I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post.a course in miracles cab주소

    Reply

  11. I’d should verify with you here. Which is not one thing I usually do! I get pleasure from reading a put up that may make folks think. Additionally, thanks for allowing me to comment!mieszkania na wynajem szczecin 캡포탈

    Reply

  12. Any ladies out there looking for a hot fresh new fit for Memorial Day weekend?? Hit up the lovely ladies over at Boutique Pink in North… 캡주소

    Reply

  13. Many thanks for bothering to line all of this out for people. This particular posting was in fact very useful in my opinion.office furniture dubai
    cab

    Reply

  14. This is the best article I’ve ever seen. Thank you so much. I want to see your writing every day. I’ll cheer for you to keep posting it! Have a nice day.레플리카도매

    Reply

  15. I really want to say thank you to you for giving me a lot of positive influences 토토사이트 I think it’s the best article I’ve ever written this year

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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