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?

218,822 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. Here, I’ve learned a few useful things. Most definitely worth bookmarking for later. I’m curious about the amount of work you put into developing a website this beautiful and educational.

    Reply

  2. I have learn a few good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much attempt you set to create any such magnificent informative website.chicken on blackstone griddle

    Reply

  3. Thank you for another informative website. Where else may I get that kind of info written in such a perfect approach? I’ve a challenge that I am just now operating on, and I have been on the glance out for such information. commercial license in dubai

    Reply

  4. Really I enjoy your site with effective and useful information. It is included very nice post with a lot of our resources.thanks for share. i enjoy this post. Latest Sports News

    Reply

  5. Hello! I’ve been viewing your blog for quite a while and now I finally got thecourage to give you some comment that I’ve been thinking all this time. I Just wanted to say keep up the fantastic work! RTP Slot

    Reply

  6. Yes i am totally agreed with this article and i just want say that this article is very nice and very informative article.I will make sure to be reading your blog more. You made a good point but I can’t help but wonder, what about the other side? !!!!!!Thanks Latest Sports News

    Reply

  7. I know this is one of the most meaningful information for me. And I’m animated reading your article. But should remark on some general things, the website style is perfect; the articles are great. Thanks for the ton of tangible and attainable help. angela kukowski

    Reply

  8. I think this is an informative post and it is very useful and knowledgeable. therefore, I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. keith randulich

    Reply

  9. Very interesting discussion glad that I came across such informative post. Keep up the good work friend. Glad to be part of your net community. hack google

    Reply

  10. I’m going to read this. I’ll be sure to come back. thanks for sharing. and also This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives indepth information. thanks for this nice article… click here

    Reply

  11. Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Big thanks for the useful info. Sports News

    Reply

  12. You make so many great points here that I read your article a couple of times. Your views are in accordance with my own for the most part. This is great content for your readers. 홈카지노먹튀검증

    Reply

  13. Pretty good post. I have just stumbled upon your blog and enjoyed reading your blog posts very much. I am looking for new posts to get more precious info. Big thanks for the useful info. 핑카지노먹튀

    Reply

  14. AnimeFLV – Ver Anime Online HD (Official) — Anime FLV es la mejor versión nueva del sitio web AnimeFLV.Com.Co – Anime FLV es uno de los sitios más populares para ver anime de forma gratuita por internet.

    https://animeflv.com.co/%5D

    Reply

  15. First of all, thank you for your post. bitcoincasino Your posts are neatly organized with the information I want, so there are plenty of resources to reference. I bookmark this site and will find your posts frequently in the future. Thanks again ^^

    Reply

  16. I was looking for another article by chance and found your article keo nha cai I am writing on this topic, so I think it will help a lot. I leave my blog address below. Please visit once.

    Reply

  17. It’s the same topic , but I was quite surprised to see the opinions I didn’t think of. My blog also has articles on these topics, so I look forward to your visit. baccarat online

    Reply

  18. We LivNews24 provide the latest news on NFL Super Wild Card. We also provide information about the NFL Super Wild Card match. You can find out more about the NFL Super Wild Card by visiting our website.

    Reply

  19. Here’s some information I’m confident you’ll enjoy. There’s no need to be able to walk or force yourself around attempting to find locations that sell CBD merchandise when you can now easily access Cenforce FM and Cenforce 50. However, keep in mind that you should exercise caution when selecting a supplier. And you shouldn’t just pick a website at random and place your order. However, once you’ve chosen the right supplier, you can have your CBD oil delivered right to your door.

    Reply

  20. Hi there, I discovered your blog per Google bit searching for such kinda educational advise moreover your inform beholds very remarkable for me. EarthWeb

    Reply

  21. I have read all the comments and suggestions posted by the visitors for this article are very fine,We will wait for your next article so only.Thanks! Papaz Büyüsü

    Reply

  22. Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all people you really recognize what you are talking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly additionally discuss with my web site =). We will have a link alternate contract among us! backlink

    Reply

  23. Through my experience, some more explanations than various conditions have been observed that they may admit. 0

    Reply

  24. I agree with this reply. Confidence is important in school when talking about some databases. By the way, I’m sure you have an answer to my question. What topics will trigger controversial essays? 0

    Reply

  25. Hello and thank you for this interesting article. For me, clear rights. I need to be able to change their code. I have this right. I was looking for advice on how to do my excel homework. Maybe I can help you? 0

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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