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?

174,456 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. Thank you again for all the knowledge you distribute,Good post. I was very interested in the article, it’s quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards mlb중계

    Reply

  2. 당신은 함께 논쟁하기가 실질적으로 어렵다는 것을 너무 많이 이해합니다 (실제로 내가 원하는 것은 아닙니다 … 하하). 당신은 확실히 수십 년 동안 논의 된 주제로 최신 스핀을 넣었습니다. 멋진 물건, 그냥 멋져요! 해외축구중계

    Reply

  3. This is extremely fascinating substance! I have completely delighted in perusing your focuses and have reached the conclusion that you are right about a hefty portion of them. You are extraordinary.  cbd suisse

    Reply

  4. Hi there, I found your blog via Google while searching for such kinda informative post and your post looks very interesting for me. cbd suisse

    Reply

  5. In the short-term, renting can be a great way to decide where you want to live and can help you save up for your home loan deposit. But here are five ways that owning your own home can create value for you over time. The Lakegarden Residences

    Reply

  6. Such a very useful article. Very interesting to read this article.I would like to thank you for the efforts you had made for writing this awesome article. 豪宅裝修

    Reply

  7. পৃথিবীর সবচেয়ে সুন্দর ফুলের নামের একটি তালিকা নিচে দেওয়া হল:
    গাঁদা: গাঁদা একটি জনপ্রিয় ফুল। এর রঙের বৈচিত্র্যতা একে আরও আকর্ষণীয় করে তোলে।
    গোলাপ: গোলাপকে ফুলের রানী বলা হয়। এর লাল রঙের ফুল সৌন্দর্যের প্রতীক হিসেবে পরিচিত।
    পদ্ম: পদ্ম একটি পবিত্র ফুল। এর উজ্জ্বল রঙ ও সুগন্ধ মনকে শান্ত করে।
    অর্কিড: অর্কিড তার বৈচিত্র্যময় রঙ ও আকার-আকৃতির জন্য বিখ্যাত।
    বাগদাদী লিলি: বাগদাদী লিলির সুগন্ধ অনন্য। এর হলুদ রঙের ফুল মনকে আনন্দিত করে।
    রজনীগন্ধা: রজনীগন্ধার সুগন্ধ রাতের বেলায় মনকে মাতাল করে তোলে।
    চাঁপা: চাঁপার সুগন্ধ অতুলনীয়। এর সাদা রঙের ফুল সৌন্দর্যের প্রতীক হিসেবে পরিচিত।
    জারবেরা: জারবেরা তার বৈচিত্র্যময় রঙের জন্য জনপ্রিয়।
    এই সব ফুলের ছবি অনেক ওয়েবসাইটে পাওয়া যায় ।
    এই তালিকায় শুধুমাত্র কিছু ফুলের নাম উল্লেখ করা হয়েছে। পৃথিবীতে আরও অনেক সুন্দর ফুল রয়েছে। মানুষের ব্যক্তিগত পছন্দের উপর ভিত্তি করে যেকোনো ফুলকেই বিশ্বের সবচেয়ে সুন্দর ফুল হিসেবে বিবেচনা করা যেতে পারে।

    Reply

  8. Muse.union.edu” is a platform associated with Union College, allowing students, faculty, and staff to create and share blogs covering a wide array of academic, personal, and creative topics. It serves as a space for the Union College community to engage in dialogue, share ideas, and showcase their work.
    Divorce Lawyers Tysons VA

    Reply

  9. At Ocala Handyman Co., we've earned our reputation as trusted painting contractors in Ocala, FL, through years of delivering top-notch services. Our journey began with a simple commitment to providing high-quality painting services tailored to the unique weather conditions and aesthetic preferences of Central Florida. We've carefully honed our methods and selected premium painting materials that are specially suited for Ocala's humid climate. Whether you need your home or business painted, our team of skilled Ocala painters is trained to offer you the highest level of professionalism and quality.

    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. Vaporesso

    Reply

  11. When do you think this Real Estate market will go back in a positive direction? Or is it still too early to tell? We are seeing a lot of housing foreclosures in Altamonte Springs Florida. What about you? Would love to get your feedback on this. 남동구출장마사지

    Reply

  12. Are you looking for an affordable, reliable, and secure hosting platform? Look no further than DigitalOcean Accounts! It is fast, cost-effective, and provides a wide range of services. With DigitalOcean Accounts, you can purchase and manage your own virtual server in just a few clicks! Buy digitalocean account today and start taking advantage of its many great features.

    Reply

  13. There are many different e-book genres on line however i might virtually like to study approximately self help books;; Battery

    Reply

  14. snaptube apk is a fantastic app for downloading and managing media content from various platforms. Its user-friendly interface and the ability to save videos and music offline make it a must-have for anyone who enjoys multimedia content on their mobile device. Just remember to always download it from a trusted source to ensure your device’s security!

    Reply

  15. Picture Chat Rooms If you want to chat in a social media-style area where you can share photos, pictures and videos, it would be beneficial for you to follow the address I will mention now chat aşk

    Reply

  16. Efficiently written information. It will be profitable to anybody who utilizes it, counting me. Keep up the good work. For certain I will review out more posts day in and day out. DoFollow Backlinks

    Reply

  17. Thank you a lot for sharing this with all of us you really recognize what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Kindly additionally seek advice from my web site =). We may have a hyperlink trade contract among us! 출장마사지

    Reply

  18. Discover the heart of the Christian Community Foundation, where faith and philanthropy unite to empower and strengthen Christian communities worldwide. As a trusted nonprofit organization, we are dedicated to fostering lasting connections, facilitating charitable giving, and supporting initiatives that make a positive impact on faith-based organizations.

    Check It Now: christian community foundation

    Reply

  19. It turns out that even the hottest port has a few places where you can get off the beaten path. Here are some recommendations that will make you feel like you’re in the know 裝修公司

    Reply

  20. It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read more things about it! 출장마사지

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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