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?

158,106 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. The official and trusted online lottery game site in Asia which provides a complete lottery market and easy jackpots, the betting in this game is very small with a minimum of 100 silver you can make big profits, for further information please visit this website https://1hdwallpapers.com/

    Reply

  2. After study a few of the blog posts for your web site now, and i also genuinely as if your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and will also be checking back soon. Pls check out my web page also and tell me what you consider. shipping container for sale

    Reply

  3. There couple of interesting points over time here but I don’t determine if them all center to heart. You can find some validity but Let me take hold opinion until I investigate it further. Very good post , thanks and now we want a lot more! Put into FeedBurner also https://mb66.racing/

    Reply

  4. This is just the information I am finding everywhere. Thanks for your blog, I just subscribe your blog. This is a nice blog.. DMT for sale

    Reply

  5. keberuntungan bermain di situs slot161 Slot Tergacor ! Bergabunglah sekarang dan rasakan kemenangan menarik .

    Reply

  6. An impressive share, I merely given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis for this. Anf the husband in truth bought me breakfast simply because I found it for him.. smile. So i want to reword that: Thnx for your treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending plenty of time to talk about this, I feel strongly regarding this and really like reading regarding this topic. If it is possible, as you grow expertise, can you mind updating your blog site with a lot more details? It’s highly useful for me. Huge thumb up with this writing! Նոր Զելանդիայի այցելուների վիզա

    Reply

  7. Daftar sekarang di website vip579 Slot Tergacor ! Dapatkan pelung kemenangan yang sangat menarik.

    Reply

  8. Sp5der Hoodies
    are perfect for daily life, outdoor activities, fitness enthusiasts, and gaming sessions. They’re great for running errands, hiking, camping, working out, or just lounging around

    Reply

  9. This could be the correct blog if you would like to check out this topic. You are aware of so much its virtually not easy to argue along (not too I really would want…HaHa). You definitely put a different spin using a topic thats been discussing for many years. Excellent stuff, just excellent! npb중계

    Reply

  10. Introducing our instagram reels downloader! Easily save and enjoy your favorite IG Reels offline. Copy, paste and download. Enjoy instant access anytime, anywhere.

    Instagram Reels downloader

    Reply

  11. Health is a dynamic state of physical, mental, and social well-being. It encompasses not just the absence of disease or infirmity but also vitality and resilience. Physical health involves proper nutrition, exercise, and regular medical check-ups. Mental health includes emotional stability, stress management, and cognitive well-being. Social health relates to interpersonal relationships and community engagement. Achieving optimal health requires a balanced lifestyle, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices. It’s crucial to address both preventive measures and timely medical interventions. Ultimately, good health empowers individuals to live fulfilling lives, contributing positively to society and enjoying a high quality of life.https://muse.union.edu/2020-isc080-roprif/2020/05/02/determinants-of-health-during-a-pandemic/comment-page-409/#comment-29102

    Reply

  12. Thanks for taking the time to discuss that, I feel strongly about this and so really like getting to know more on this kind of field. Do you mind updating your blog post with additional insight? It should be really useful for all of us. DMT for sale

    Reply

  13. A game that is very easy to win, you can easily get big profits from playing this game, I really like this game because this game makes it easy to win, for further information please visit this website https://mez.ink/cuputogel

    Reply

  14. Wohh precisely what I was looking for, thanks for putting up. “Be nice to everyone on your way to the top because you pass them all on the way down.” by Fred Hufnagel, Sr.. 해외스포츠중계

    Reply

  15. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and everything. Nevertheless think about if you added some great pictures or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this site could certainly be one of the most beneficial in its field. Fantastic blog! blippi live show impersonator

    Reply

  16. I am very grateful for the valuable knowledge presented through this blog site. Don’t forget to stop by the game site that is ready to surprise you, for more complete information visit the website https://fusowd.com

    Reply

  17. Hello my friend! I wish to say that this article is amazing, nice written and include almost all important infos. I’d like to see more posts like this . Mature AI chat service

    Reply

  18. Menyadari karya yang begitu bermanfaat, saya terhuyung-huyung mendekati blog Anda selain mengungkap pernyataan terbatas. Saya membutuhkan prosedur pengukiran Anda…
    slot88

    Reply

  19. Excellent Submit, I will be a huge believer inside submitting feedback about web sites to be able to allow the website copy writers understand that they’ve extra one thing useful to be able to the net! https://health47.com

    Reply

  20. Yacine TV
    offers a variety of live sports and entertainment channels, streaming events and shows for free.

    Reply

  21. Thank you for the inspiring and informative content on this blog site.
    Don’t forget to stop by the game site that is ready to surprise you, for more complete information visit the website https://satugta.org

    Reply

  22. Postingan yang sangat bagus. Saya baru saja menemukan blog Anda dan perlu mengatakan bahwa saya sangat menghargai membaca entri blog Anda. Suatu cara saya akan membeli di feed Anda dan saya sangat ingin percaya bahwa Anda segera memposting lagi. Terima kasih yang sebesar-besarnya atas data yang bermanfaat
    slot88

    Reply

  23. I have learned newer and more effective things by means of your blog. One other thing I’d like to say is that newer personal computer operating systems are inclined to allow extra memory to get used, but they likewise demand more memory simply to function. If a person’s computer can’t handle extra memory and also the newest computer software requires that memory increase, it could be the time to buy a new Laptop. Thanks hongtogel

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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