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?

190,007 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. Explore the limitless possibilities of the future with FutureSite.
    Your one-stop destination for a diverse range of content spanning all categories.
    Uncover the latest trends, innovations, and insights that shape tomorrow.
    Embrace the future today at FutureSite – where curiosity meets endless exploration!
    http://futuresite.us/

    Reply

  2. Experience the ancient healing art of acupuncture, performed by our licensed acupuncturists to restore balance and harmony to your body and mind. Whether you’re seeking relief from pain, stress, or chronic health conditions, our acupuncture treatments offer a holistic approach to wellness, promoting healing from within. cupping

    Reply

  3. Wow! This could be one particular of the most helpful blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Excellent. I am also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your effort. la casa de milagros

    Reply

  4. Reveal smoother, more radiant skin with our range of chemical peel treatments. Whether you’re struggling with acne, sun damage, or signs of aging, our skilled aestheticians will tailor a chemical peel to your skin type and concerns, leaving you with a fresh, rejuvenated complexion. botox dysport xeomin

    Reply

  5. You’ll notice several contrasting points from New york Weight reduction eating plan and every one one may be useful. The first point will probably be authentic relinquishing on this excessive. lose weight Haier 10kg Twin Tub Washing Machine HWM-100 BS

    Reply

  6. سایت پروژه پرو دانلود فایل پی دی اف کتاب والدین سمی مینا فتحی 270 صفحه PDF را با بهترین کیفیت و به صورت کامل برای شما عزیزان قرار داده است
    326

    دانلود کتاب والدین سمی

    Reply

  7. This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here keep up the good work Amber heard net worth

    Reply

  8. IMG Group Ltd has a growing group of clients for all our service sectors, based throughout the UK, our clients include corporate companies, several large organisations and private individuals. https://www.imggroup.co.uk/

    Reply

  9. Swisszar das Original mit Zufriedenheitsgarantie SwissZar™ lädt Sie in eine Welt der Innovation und des Komforts ein, in der Technologie und Wohnbedarf aufeinandertreffen. Entdecken Sie eine kuratierte Auswahl an intelligenten Gadgets, stilvollen Accessoires und praktischen Tools, die Ihr tägliches Leben aufwerten

    Massagepistole

    Reply

  10. Your article was incredibly informative, providing valuable insights. Your website proves to be an invaluable resource. Thank you!

    Reply

  11. Your article was incredibly informative, providing valuable insights. Your website proves to be an invaluable resource. Thank you! dramacool

    Reply

  12. I simply could not go away your website prior to suggesting that I really loved the standard information an individual provide for your visitors? Is going to be again ceaselessly to investigate cross-check new posts maintenance informatique paris

    Reply

  13. Katy Perry is actually at # four located on the Usa Billboard Chart. In the event. She has reached number one this will be her fifth numberone single out of the same album, California Dreams acim

    Reply

  14. If you’re looking for the best place to Buy Hetzner Account , you’ve come to the right place. For more business opportunities and rapid growth,
    we offer Buy Hetzner Accounts. Our team of experts is at your disposal with top-notch services and quality accounts to make your shopping experience seamless. So why so late? Join the Azure cloud computing platform with us at such a low cost and get one step closer to your goal.

    Reply

  15. An astonishing share, I truely with all this onto a colleague who turned into carrying out a little analysis at some point of this. And then he in reality supplied me breakfast while you consider that I positioned it for him.. Smile. So allow me reword that: Thnx to your treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending time pass over this, Personally i suppose strongly regarding it and adore analyzing greater on this subject matter. Whenever feasible, as you develop data, does one mind updating your weblog website on-line with greater data? It can be pretty of exceptional help for me. Big thumb up because of this writing! 호빠

    Reply

  16. Thank you for being a driving force behind our passion for excellence! We’re dedicated to serving you with the best of our abilities. For more excellent content and updates, visit our website.
    Tata signa 4225.t price in lucknow

    Reply

  17. เกมสล็อตยังเล่นได้ง่ายที่คาสิโนออนไลน์และมีตัวเลือกการเดิมพันที่หลากหลาย วิธีเล่นคาสิโนออนไลน์เพื่อความสนุกสนานและผลกำไร สล็อตออนไลน์ การเล่นที่คาสิโนออนไลน์ควรคำนึงถึงความสนุกสนานเป็นอันดับแรกเสมอ

    Reply

  18. Everyone is well aware of the importance of safety when
    it comes to online sports betting. My website has a lot of
    useful sports news information, check it out now.
    사설토토 먹튀검증

    Reply

  19. 이 기사에서 훌륭한 작업을 수행했습니다. 매우 정확하고 질적입니다. 읽기 쉽고 읽기 쉽게 만들었습니다. 당신은 진짜 글쓰기 재능이 있습니다. 정말 고맙습니다 홀덤

    Reply

  20. Taxlegit makes Pvt Ltd company registration online a breeze. Our seamless and user-friendly platform simplifies the process, ensuring that your business is up and running in no time. With Taxlegit, you can trust that your company registration is in safe and reliable hands. Start your entrepreneurial journey with us today.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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