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?

139,211 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. In a statement later on Sunday, the speaker and other Republican congressional leaders touted the agreement as a “historic series of wins”. 뉴토끼

    Reply

  2. McCarthy has summoned lawmakers from the House of Representatives back to Washington from a holiday recess to vote on the deal on Wednesday. 늑대닷컴

    Reply

  3. Discover the latest Vlone t-shirt collection, designed for any fashion enthusiasts. Elevate your style with our streetwear fashion. Order now! real vlone shirt

    Reply

  4. The basic framework of the deal suspends the federal debt ceiling, which is currently US$31.4 trillion, for two years – enough to get past the next presidential election in 2024 and allow the government to keep borrowing money and remain solvent. 블랙툰주소

    Reply

  5. U.S. intelligence assessments have expressed serious doubts that the Ukrainian spring counteroffensive would achieve more than “modest territorial gains,” especially given the problems with training and ammunition. <a href="https://www.블랙툰.com/&quot; rel="nofollow"웹툰

    Reply

  6. What appeared to be American electronic intercepts captured the Russian spy agency accusing the Russian defense ministry of concealing the true toll of the war, in part by excluding the dead and wounded in national guard and mercenary forces. 블랙툰

    Reply

  7. An unnamed source said that President Vladimir Putin of Russia was scheduled to undergo chemotherapy and that the Russian chief of general staff, Valery Gerasimov, and security council secretary, Nikolai Patrushev, were suspected to have devised a plan to “sabotage” the president while he was under treatment. 무료웹툰

    Reply

  8. 해당 게시물은 먹튀 확정을 안내하는 게시물입니다. 해당 사이트를 이용하는 회원님들은 이용을 중단하시고. 피해를 최소화하시기 바라며 … 입플

    Reply

  9. I’ve been struggling with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and your blog has been a great source of inspiration. The point about regular exercise really hit home for me. It’s amazing how much better I feel when I make it a priority. Thanks for sharing!
    google Direcoty

    Reply

  10. Incredible insights! A big thank you to the Administrator for generously sharing this valuable information. I’ve explored numerous sections of your website and must say, your blog is truly exceptional. Please continue imparting these remarkable narratives. Your dedication to sharing quality content is truly appreciated. We are providing news and latest information about cryptocurrency, if you have any doubt about crypto we are here to guide you. For more information visit our website. How To Use Crypto.Com App?.

    Reply

  11. Assignment Help in UAE is your academic ally in the United Arab Emirates. We understand the unique challenges faced by students pursuing education in this dynamic and diverse region. Our dedicated team of experts offers comprehensive assistance across various subjects and academic levels. Whether you’re struggling with assignments, essays, research papers, or coursework, our service provides customized solutions to meet your specific requirements. We prioritize quality, originality, and timely delivery to ensure your academic success. Trust us to support your educational journey in the UAE, helping you achieve your academic goals with confidence and excellence.

    Reply

  12. Just like the old saying goes, within the pro’s head there are few options, however , for a person with the beginner’s brain, the world is open up.
    togel totomacau

    Reply

  13. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly. iblbet

    Reply

  14. headlightrestore With hundreds of five-star reviews on Google, Headlight Restore have restored to as-new thousands of headlights throughout Brisbane & the Gold Coast for over 10 years.

    Reply

  15. There are some captivating elements with time in this newsletter however I do now not determine if they all middle to coronary heart. You can discover a few validity however I am going to take hold opinion till I take a look at it further. Great write-up , thanks and now we need hundreds greater! Added to FeedBurner too https://www.ufabetwins.com/ทางเข้าufabet/

    Reply

  16. Thank you for sharing such useful information. I’m a Writer by profession and I found that today’s students are very curious about their assignments. I recommend them to get help from an online platform that offers calculus assignment help to students worldwide. An assignment writer is a professional who specializes in crafting high-quality and well-researched academic papers on various subjects and topics.

    Reply

  17. 나는이 웹 사이트에있는 당신의 몇몇 포스트를보고 있었다. 그리고 나는이 웹 사이트가 정말로 유익하다고 생각한다! 계속 .. 스포츠중계

    Reply

  18. While browsing through Google for some blogs, I came across your blog. After reading through the entire content, I must say it’s truly remarkable. The way you’ve articulated your thoughts is impressive, and I felt compelled to leave a comment. Your blog provides a wealth of valuable information, and on behalf of Pearland Women’s Center, I want to express our gratitude for this valuable contribution.The Pearland Women’s Center is dedicated to offering comprehensive and specialized medical services pearland women’s center tailored to the unique needs of women. With a strong emphasis on women’s health and well-being, our center provides a wide range of services, including obstetrics, gynecology, reproductive health, and wellness programs.

    Reply

  19. 먹튀검증 완료된 안전한 토토사이트 정보 공유 및 안전 보증업체 추천을 해드리고있습니다. 메이저사이트만의 특별한 혜택 및 메이저사이트 추천 순위 공유하겠습니다. 메이저사이트

    Reply

  20. 먹튀검증, 먹튀검증사이트, 먹튀사이트, 먹튀검증전문업체 북박스는 먹튀없는 안전한 메이저 토토사이트 이용을 위한 모든 정보를 공유하는 공간입니다. 먹튀검증

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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