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?

220,112 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. hi!,I like your writing so much! share we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your post on AOL? I require a specialist on this space to solve my problem. May be that is you! Looking ahead to peer you. fc augsburg

    Reply

  2. I was reading your article and wondered if you had considered creating an ebook on this subject.Your writing would sell it fast.You have a lot of writing talent. Remove Stamp service

    Reply

  3. I feel like I’m constantly looking for interesting things to read about a variety of subjects, but I manage to include your blog among my reads every day because you have compelling entries that I look forward to. Here’s hoping there’s a lot more amazing material coming! fc augsburg

    Reply

  4. Are you looking to Buy Verified Binance Accounts? If Yes, this is the Best Website for you. We provide 100% Verified Binance Accounts Service at the Cheapest Price. Our Dedicated Experienced Team Always ready to Respond 24/7 Days.

    Reply

  5. It was extremely all around composed and straightforward. Not at all like different online journals I have perused which are truly not that good.Thanks a lot 英文寫作班推薦

    Reply

  6. 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.  英会話 秋葉原

    Reply

  7. My spouse and I stumbled over here by a different web address and thought I might check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to checking out your web page again. fc augsburg vereinsprofil

    Reply

  8. Its my great pleasure to visit your blog and to enjoy your great posts here. I like it a lot. I can feel that you paid much attention for those articles, as all of them make sense and are very useful.  英文寫作班

    Reply

  9. Whether it’s fixing faulty wiring, repairing outlets, or troubleshooting lighting issues, our team has the skills and experience to handle any electrical problem efficiently and effectively. Don’t suffer in the darkness. You have found the One Good Handyman London you’ll ever need!

    Reply

  10. Singapore Airlines Hanoi Office offers outstanding travel services. It’s your gateway to smooth travels, not just a place to make reservations. Whether you are traveling to a foreign country or seeing the rich history of Hanoi, our office makes sure that your trip is planned with minimal worry. Allow Singapore Airlines to revitalize your trip through the energetic city of Hanoi. Click Here https://airlinescloud.com/singapore-airlines/singapore-airlines-hanoi-office-in-vietnam/

    Reply

  11. Great post i must say and thanks for the information. Education is definitely a sticky subject. However, is still among the leading topics of our time. I appreciate your post and look forward to more home cleaning new york 英会話 渋谷

    Reply

  12. 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.  Phy 補習班

    Reply

  13. I am doing a report on this subject. Your article is full of really useful information. I will make sure to come back to check out your posts for my next report. 物理補習班

    Reply

  14. Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work. Digital Marketing

    Reply

  15. دانلود کتاب جهاد تبیین سعید صلح میرزایی (PDF) 375 صفحه با بهترین کیفیت توسط سایت پی دی اف باما گردآوری شده است.
    pdf کتاب جهاد تبیین

    Reply

  16. This psychological aspect is crucial because it helps traders recognize and address behavioral patterns that may impact their decision-making process. Analyzing past trades and reviewing emotional reactions gives traders valuable insight into areas for improvement, promoting a more disciplined and controlled approach to trading. journal de trading

    Reply

  17. Fantastic post, and I appreciate the time you took to carefully construct this page. Reading has been enjoyable and educational for me.
    cricket id

    Reply

  18. Thank you for taking the time to carefully craft this blog post; it’s awesome. It has been enlightening and enjoyable to read.
    cricket id

    Reply

  19. Fantastic post, and I appreciate you taking the time to carefully craft this site. Reading has been enjoyable and insightful for me.
    betting id

    Reply

  20. Thank you for taking the time to carefully craft this blog post; it’s awesome. It has been enlightening and enjoyable to read.
    Best betting id

    Reply

  21. Fantastic post, and I appreciate the time you took to carefully construct this page. Reading has been enjoyable and educational for me.
    betting id

    Reply

  22. دانلود کتاب فلسفه و منطق جامع کنکور مشاوران آموزش احمد خداداد حسینی 498 صفحه

    کتاب حاضر ویژه کنکور 1403 و چاپ بیست و هفتم سال 1402 است. برخی درسها آدم را پرتاب میکنند؛ یعنی چه؟ یعنی نمیتوان در مقابل آن درسها، رفتار عادی داشت و بی تفاوت از کنارشان رد شد

    دانلود کتاب فلسفه و منطق pdf

    Reply

  23. That is many inspirational stuff. For no reason knew that opinions could be this varied. Thanks for all the enthusiasm to offer such helpful information here. bayern münchen

    Reply

  24. سایت پروژه پرو دانلود فایل پی دی اف کتاب اصول مهندسی اینترنت احسان ملکیان 545 صفحه PDF را با بهترین کیفیت و به صورت کامل برای شما عزیزان قرار داده است
     کتاب مهندسی اینترنت

    Reply

  25. Spot i’ll carry on with this write-up, I seriously think this web site needs a lot more consideration. I’ll more likely be once again you just read considerably more, many thanks for that information. bayern münchen

    Reply

  26. Timothy Olyphant’s child, Henry Olyphant, seldom takes titles, however his peaceful presence sparkles questions: entertainer really taking shape? #watchthisspace

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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