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?

208,376 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. Exploring the content on this website has become a source of inspiration and intellectual stimulation for me. Bostoto

    Reply

  2. structural claims NMG Contracting is a General Contractor that specializes in Affordable Remodeling & Construction in Omaha, West Jordan, La Vista and Boys Town, NE. Click to learn more!

    Reply

  3. We provide high quality and reliable cars for rent to our customers. To use our Rent a car Baku service, it is enough for you to contact us. rent a car baku

    Reply

  4. The ABUTOGEL site offers many interesting features that you can play, various bonuses that have been provided, and of course the most important comfort, for further information, visit this website https://terbeli2023.com/

    Reply

  5. Hello, this is a seriouslyexcellent submit. In concept Id liketo jot down like this too – taking time and real work to make a brilliant article.!. but what can I say.!. I procrastinate alot and never seem to have anything done. Thank You Pharmaceutical Rep Certification

    Reply

  6. Drakorzone WEBSITE

    Drakorzone merupakan platform khusus yang memungkinkan pengguna untuk menonton drama Korea & Film Barat dengan subtitle Indonesia secara gratis secara online. Selain itu, tersedia juga banyak pilihan nonton  Film Semi , drama China, Jepang, Thailand, dan Taiwan. Penting untuk dicatat bahwa Drakorzone memiliki kesamaan dengan situs-situs lain seperti Drakorindo, Nunadrama,DrakorCute, DramaID, Dramaindo, Dramaqu, Dramacute, Inidramaku, Giladrakor,layarkaca21,rebahin21, indoxx1, ganool, dunia21,dutafilm, dan banyak lagi. 

    Reply

  7. I simply must tell you that you have written an excellent and unique article that I really enjoyed reading. I’m fascinated by how well you laid out your material and presented your views. Thank you. API77

    Reply

  8. Spot lets start on this write-up, I truly believe this excellent website needs considerably more consideration. I’ll oftimes be once more to read a lot more, thank you for that info. Linux Server Support Vancouver

    Reply

  9. Thanks for every other excellent post. The place else may just anyone get that kind of info in such an ideal manner of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the look for such information. API77

    Reply

  10. Once talking for some time plus getting to know each other, it would be pure to fulfill. It becomes some sort of rather shallow connection if you and him tend to be content to end up being for a long time merely chatting. Each men and women might be seriously seeking another person to help speak with. Solaranlage Deutschland

    Reply

  11. Aw, this was a very nice post. In concept I want to put in writing like this moreover – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and under no circumstances seem to get something done. Pharmaceutical Sales Training

    Reply

  12. Creative Nomenclature is a blog that helps businesses and individuals choose the perfect name for their new projects. We specialize in providing unique, catchy, and cool business names, baby names, pet names and more to our customers so they can take their branding and family names to the next level.

    Reply

  13. This looks absolutely perfect. All these tinny details are made with lot of background knowledge. I like it a lot. This was a useful post and I think it is rather easy to see from the other comments as well that this post is well written and useful. 카지노 솔루션

    Reply

  14. I am often to blogging and that i truly appreciate your content. This great article has really peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your blog and keep checking achievable info. 카지노 솔루션

    Reply

  15. Those of you who want to play online games that are full of fun and excitement. Because of this online game, there are very large and tempting prizes, namely in the form of cash. If you want to play this online game from us, you can visit our website https://suksesterus.io

    Reply

  16. Welcome to GTATOGEL, a world of slot games full of adventure and excitement! Here, you will enter a realm full of sparkling symbols, exhilarating bonus rounds, and the chance to win tempting prizes, for further information visit this website https://pakevape.com

    Reply

  17. Just to follow up on the up-date of this subject on your web page and wish to let you know just how much I prized the time you took to publish this beneficial post. Within the post, you actually spoke regarding how to truly handle this challenge with all comfort. It would be my own pleasure to collect some more thoughts from your web-site and come up to offer other folks what I have benefited from you. Thanks for your usual good effort. LSports

    Reply

  18. Thanks for the different tips discussed on this blog site. I have observed that many insurance carriers offer prospects generous deals if they choose to insure several cars with them. A significant volume of households currently have several vehicles these days, in particular those with old teenage kids still located at home, as well as savings on policies can certainly soon begin. So it pays to look for a great deal. LSports

    Reply

  19. This particular is usually apparently essential and moreover outstanding truth along with for sure fair-minded and moreover admittedly useful My business is looking to find in advance designed for this specific useful stuffs… mytvonline

    Reply

  20. 광주룸살롱 중 최고의 여성 파트너와 정식 허가를 받은 광주룸싸롱 에서 광주노래방 을 즐기실수 있습니다. 광주룸 및 광주유흥업소 광주프리미엄가라오케 365일 24시간 문의 가능하며 광주밤문화 를 제대로 느끼실수 있습니다 광주룸

    Reply

  21. คาสิโนออนไลน์ใช้เทคโนโลยีสมัยใหม่ เช่น HTML5, แฟลช และจาวา เพื่อให้มั่นใจถึงการเล่นเกมที่ราบรื่นและกราฟิกคุณภาพสูง สล็อตออนไลน์

    Reply

  22. クリトリス吸引で服を脱ぐときには相手の体に負担がかからないように気を配ることも重要です。締め付けがきつい服やジュエリーなどを取り除くことで、さらなる身軽さと快適さを提供できます。お互いの心地よさを考えながら、服を脱いでいきましょう。

    Reply

  23. abstract art have share some of its unique beauty when it comes to art. i like abstract art because it is mysterious,. CNPR Scam

    Reply

  24. Hello, i think that i saw you visited my website so i came to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!! Teltlk

    Reply

  25. Samehadaku is my go-to source for the latest anime updates. Their website offers a vast collection of episodes and series, all conveniently organized for easy browsing. I appreciate their commitment to providing high-quality content and their dedication to serving the anime community. samehadaku

    Reply

  26. this was a really quality post. In theory I’d like to write like this also – taking time and real effort to make a good article. Really what I needed. Thanks I have been looking for this sort of info for a long time. NAPSRX scam

    Reply

  27. I have perused your article, it is exceptionally enlightening and helpful for me.I respect the profitable information you offer in your articles. Thanks for posting it. qiuzziz

    Reply

  28. Significantly, this put up is definitely the sweetest on this amazing venture. I harmonise alongside aspect your conclusions and could thirstily seem in advance in your incoming updates. Stating thank you will not honestly be enough, in your terrific clarity together with your writing. I will right away hold close your rss feed to stay knowledgeable of any updates. Admirable perform and drastically good results to your enterprise dealings! Please excuse my negative English because it honestly isn’t my very first tongue. 호빠

    Reply

  29. Thanks for making the honest try to deliver an cause of this. I experience very strong approximately it and want to be knowledgeable more. If it’s OK, as you attain greater extensive know-how, could you thoughts including more posts very similar to this one with more facts? It is probably notably useful and helpful for me and my colleagues. 호빠

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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