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?

131,865 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. Visit ij.start.cannon and find out the best way to download Canon printer drivers. Canon printers are ideal for every situation wherever you need a document, paper, or photo print or even if you wish to scan, fax, and more.

    Reply

  2. All-in-one Canon Inkjet printers are suitable for home, business, school, and others to improve productivity. You can easily set up your Canon printer through drivers from Canon.com/ijsetup , wireless connection, and a few components.

    Reply

  3. Use dragon naturally speaking to turn speech into text quickly. Download the latest version and work in Voice mode and be Hands-Free. Dictate Documents and complete the transcription faster. Use various options and features to get more useful and correct output with dragon naturally speaking voice recognition software. Dragon by Nuance is counted as the leading software for voice to text recognition.

    Reply

  4. I think this is an informative post and it is very useful and knowledgeable. therefore, I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article 😀 먹튀검증

    Reply

  5. Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all of us you actually realize what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Please also seek advice from my site =). We could have a hyperlink change contract between us 안전놀이터

    Reply

  6. Someone Sometimes with visits your blog regularly and recommended it in my experience to read as well. The way of writing is excellent and also the content is top-notch. Thanks for that insight you provide the readers! Data Keluaran HK

    Reply

  7. it’s really nice and meanful. it’s really cool blog. Linking is very useful thing.you have really helped lots of people who visit blog and provide them usefull information. https://www.5g999.co/slot

    Reply

  8. There is a lot of information here that can help any business get started with a successful social networking campaign. I always advise people to be vigilant and knowledgeable about such articles that grows and benefit the intellect. springfield saint

    Reply

  9. I always advise people to be vigilant and knowledgeable about such articles that grows and benefit the intellect. sauce bars

    Reply

  10. Please keep on posting such quality articles as this is a rare thing to find these days. I am always searching online for posts that can help me. watching forward to another great blog. Good luck to the author! all the best! 스포츠토토사이트
    ^^

    Reply

  11. It’s the best time to make a few plans for the longer term and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I want to suggest you some interesting issues or suggestions. Perhaps you could write subsequent articles relating to this article. I desire to read even more issues about it! red tiger

    Reply

  12. Wonderful post! We are linking to this great post on our website.

    Sign up for free. Easy to apply at this link: 카지노

    Reply

  13. I think I have never observed such web journals ever that has finish things with all points of interest which I need.

    Sign up for free. Easy to apply at this link: 카지노사이트777

    Reply

  14. Awesome! I appreciate your blog post to this matter. It has been useful. my blog: how to make a girl fall in love Glo extracts

    Reply

  15. You need to get involved in a tournament personally of the best blogs on the internet. I most certainly will recommend this web site! blk kat carts

    Reply

  16. Hello! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My weblog looks weird when viewing from my iphone. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to resolve this problem. If you have any recommendations, please share. Many thanks! removals essex

    Reply

  17. This Blog is very informative for us. Thanks for writing about it. In this article, some examples help me in applying in daily life
    punisher costume

    Reply

  18. I am having 5+ year experience in essay writing . I provide essay help UK to the students who are looking for a trusted essay writing service to help you out with your worries then, Assignment Desk, the oldest and the most trusted essay writing help provider is ready to lend you a helping hand.

    Reply

  19. Купить москитные сетки в СПб от производителя по низким ценам в компании МоскиткаПитер. Производим сетки только из качественных материалов, приобретенных у проверенных поставщиков из России и Германии. Срок изготовления от 1 дня. Самовывоз в день заказа! Гарантия до 3-х лет. Доставим в удобное время и установим. Сделаем сетки по Вашим размерам. moskitkapiter.ru

    Reply

  20. Took me time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the article. It proved to be Very helpful to me and I am sure to all the commenters here! It’s always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained! internet providers Toronto

    Reply

  21. This article is in fact a nice one it assists new the web people, who
    are wishing in favor of blogging.
    this is amazing and really inbformative one 파워볼분석

    Reply

  22. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like that just before. So nice to uncover somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. realy appreciate starting this up. this excellent website is a thing that is needed on-line, somebody with a bit of originality. valuable job for bringing new stuff to the net! https://www.5g999.co/baccarat

    Reply

  23. EduMagnate offers a selection of some of the best writers that have proper knowledge about nursing. These writers try to provide you with quality nursing assignment help before the deadline approaches anywhere near your doors. Our writers do complete research on every answer to ensure what they write is factual. The writers also make use of efficient writing techniques to make the processes go faster.

    Reply

  24. 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. Twinspires Offer Code

    Reply

  25. I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. free fire

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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