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?

208,705 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. I’m impressed, I have to say. Hardly ever do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining. Your idea is outstanding; the problem is that not sufficient people speak intelligently about…john Mulaney quotes reddit

    Reply

  2. This is really helpful post and very informative there is no doubt about it. it’s awesome dude I found this one pretty fascinating and it should go into my collection.
    야동

    Reply

  3. Such an amazing and helpful post this is. I really really love it. It’s so good and so awesome. I am just amazed. I hope that you continue to do your work like this in the future also.
    마사지

    Reply

  4. Thanks for sharing this useful and interesting information, checkout this it can be useful to you. Keep on sending in more useful and amazing information on your blog Betting site

    Reply

  5. This is my first time I visit here. I found so many engaging stuff in your blog, particularly its conversation. From the huge loads of remarks on your articles, I surmise I am by all account not the only one having all the recreation here! Keep doing awesome. I have been significance to compose something like this on my site and you have given me a thought. 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.
    카지노사이트

    >cc

    Reply

  6. This is a very useful and important information, it was so useful to me and other readers, thank you for always feeding the readers with interesting and useful information, your blog is indeed doing very well, kudos, meanwhile you can checkout this Betting site

    Reply

  7. Thanks for sharing with us this important Content. I feel strongly about it and really enjoyed learning more about this topic.
    오피

    Reply

  8. 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! 토토

    Reply

  9. This site seems to inspire me a lot. Thank you so much for organizing and providing this quality information in an easy to understand way. I think that a healthy era of big data can be maintained only when such high-quality information is continuously produced. And I, too, are working hard to organize and provide such high-quality information. It would be nice to come in once and get information.

    Also visit my site:파워볼

    Reply

  10. This type of article that enlighted me all throughout and thanks for this.This going to be excitement and have fun to read. thank to it. check this out to for further exciting. 바카라

    Reply

  11. This type of article will be able to think and analyzed to the readers thats leads them in a bright future. 토토

    Reply

  12. You have made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for more information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site
    오늘프로야구결과

    Reply

  13. That’s a great article! The neatly organized content is good to see. Can I quote a blog and write it on my blog? My blog has a variety of communities including these articles. Would you like to visit me later? 토토사이트추천

    Reply

  14. I am constantly surprised by the amount of information accessible on this subject. What you presented was well researched and well written to get your stand on this over to all your readers. Thanks a lot my dear. peeglite raamimine

    Reply

  15. whoah this blog is wonderful i really like studying your articles.
    Keep up the good work! You already know, many persons are searching around for
    this information, you can aid them greatly.
    야한동영상

    Reply

  16. I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this website. I am hoping to check out the same high-grade content from you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own blog now.
    횟수 무제한 출장

    Reply

  17. In 2021, everyone is already thinking about investing and trading. Do not start your trading if you do not have a trusted broker! In this article, the authors have compiled a list of brokers for trading, studied them, and compiled their TOP brokers. They also wrote about how to choose a broker. If you are interested in the topic of trading, then you should definitely read this article. how to choose a broker to trade binary options

    Reply

  18. This is very interesting, You’re an excessively skilled bloggerI have joined your rss feed and sit up for in quest of extra of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks.
    오늘프로야구결과

    Reply

  19. I simply want to tell you that I am just beginner to blogs and really enjoyed you’re web page. Very likely I’m planning to bookmark your site . You really have fantastic posts. Thank you for sharing
    온라인카지

    Reply

  20. This is very interesting, You’re an excessively skilled bloggerI have joined your rss feed and sit up for in quest of extra of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks. 프로토경기결과

    Reply

  21. I simply want to tell you that I am just beginner to blogs and really enjoyed you’re web page. Very likely I’m planning to bookmark your site . You really have fantastic posts. Thank you for sharing 온라인카지

    Reply

  22. This is very interesting, You’re an excessively skilled bloggerI have joined your rss feed and sit up for in quest of extra of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks. 사설토토추천

    Reply

  23. I simply want to tell you that I am just beginner to blogs and really enjoyed you’re web page. Very likely I’m planning to bookmark your site . You really have fantastic posts. Thank you for sharing
    카지노사이트링크

    Reply

  24. You have made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for more information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site
    프로토경기결과

    Reply

  25. This is very interesting, You’re an excessively skilled bloggerI have joined your rss feed and sit up for in quest of extra of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks. 토토사이트

    Reply

  26. You have made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for more information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site 바카라사이트

    Reply

  27. Hello, I am one of the most impressed people in your article. 안전놀이터추천 I’m very curious about how you write such a good article. Are you an expert on this subject? I think so. Thank you again for allowing me to read these posts, and have a nice day today. Thank you.

    Reply

  28. I’m so happy to finally find a post with what I want. 안전놀이터순위 You have inspired me a lot. If you are satisfied, please visit my website and leave your feedback.

    Reply

  29. Ever thought of flaunting a tanned look during winter? Reputable Salon in Boca Raton. If you are under the impression that this could only be possible after. Tanning Salons

    Reply

  30. Succeed! It could be one of the most useful blogs we have ever come across on the subject. Excellent info! I’m also an expert in this topic so I can understand your effort very well. Thanks for the huge help. 먹튀검증사이트

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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