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?

220,219 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. I simplysaf want to tell you that I am new to weblog and definitely liked this blog site. Very likely I’m going to bookmark your blog. You absolutely have wonderful stories. Cheers for sharing with us your blog situs Judi Online

    Reply

  2. My Laser247 offers a fantastic betting experience with its easy-to-navigate interface and variety of sports markets. Highly recommended for both new and experienced players!

    Reply

  3. There are some fascinating deadlines in this article but I don?t know if I see all of them center to heart. There may be some validity but I will take maintain opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want extra! Added to FeedBurner as nicely Instagream

    Reply

  4. 체중 감량에 성공하려면 외모 이상에 집중해야합니다. 기분, 전반적인 건강 및 정신 건강을 활용하는 접근 방식이 가장 효율적입니다. 두 가지 체중 감량 여정이 똑같지 않기 때문에 대대적 인 체중 감량을 달성 한 많은 여성에게 정확히 어떻게했는지 물었습니다. 돌직구벳

    Reply

  5. Decent data, profitable and phenomenal outline, as offer well done with smart thoughts and ideas, bunches of extraordinary data and motivation, both of which I require, on account of offer such an accommodating data her 앙헬레스

    Reply

  6. First You got a great blog .I will be interested in more similar topics. i see you got really very useful topics, i will be always checking your blog thanks. Situs Slot

    Reply

  7. 좋은 사이트가 있습니다. 정말 쉽고 탐색하기 좋은 웹 사이트가 훌륭하고 멋져 보이고 따라 가기 매우 쉽다고 생각합니다. 대물카지노

    Reply

  8. ยินดีต้อนรับสู่ เว็บตรง100 ที่มอบประสบการณ์การเล่นเกมที่ปลอดภัยและเชื่อถือได้ ทุกเกมผ่านการตรวจสอบและรับรองจากองค์กรชั้นนำ ทำให้คุณมั่นใจได้ว่าจะได้รับการบริการที่ดีที่สุด ไม่มีเอเย่นต์ ไม่มีการโกง ทุกการเดิมพันเป็นธรรม สนุกได้ทุกที่ทุกเวลา สมัครวันนี้เพื่อรับโบนัสพิเศษและร่วมเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของชุมชนผู้เล่นที่เติบโตอย่างรวดเร็ว! เว็บตรง100

    Reply

  9. 나는 이것이 유익한 게시물이라고 생각하며 매우 유용하고 지식이 풍부합니다. 따라서이 기사를 작성하는 데 많은 노력을 기울여 주셔서 감사합니다. opview

    Reply

  10. Le compte de hack akun hack propose désormais la triche de jeu la plus récente et la plus cool qui peut aider Bosque à jouer à des jeux de machines à sous pragmatiques et pgsoft.

    Reply

  11. 나는 당신의 블로그를 정말 좋아합니다. 훌륭한 기사. 가장 분명한 것은 사람들이 할 수 있기 전에 배워야합니다. 사이다벳

    Reply

  12. Vwoollo Clothing offers super comfy, stylish hoodies with cool star designs. Vwoollo Perfect for everyday wear or hanging out with friends!

    Reply

  13. It’s fantastic precisely how tough it’s to look for just about any quality details hydrogen stick reviews over the internet in relation to baldness men’s hairstyles. daftar infitoto

    Reply

  14. Essentials Clothings: High-quality, stylish clothing Essentials for everyday wear, designed for comfort and confidence.

    Reply

  15. 나는 그것의 굉장한 것을 말해야한다! 블로그는 정보를 제공하며 항상 놀라운 것을 생산합니다. 룰라토토

    Reply

  16. وان ایکس بت

    1xbet فارسی را با لینک های سالم و بدون فیلتر باز کنید، لینک دانلود مستقیم اپلیکیشن اندروید و آیفون وان ایکس بت، آدرس رسمی شبکه های اجتماعی تلگرام، اینستاگرام

    Reply

  17. Im creating articles upon cancers, which can be some tips i was initially undertaking study for when My partner and i observed your blog post submit. There are usually countless health problems available that people are generally being affected by, I had no idea! This can be strong details, many thanks. ombak88 slot

    Reply

  18. Insta Pro Apk is a modified version of Instagram Provides Extra Features Like Hide Stories, App Lock, Lots Of Font Styles and Hide Stories etc.

    Reply

  19. Insta Pro with a direct file, download it, install it on your phone, and enjoy it. Instagram Pro is safe, not viruses or malware, thanks for your trust.

    Reply

  20. speedyshort isn’t always just another on line service provider; it’s an revolutionary speedyshort platform that redefines manage tasks.

    Reply

  21. In the world of ecommerce, high-quality product imagery is essential for capturing customer attention and driving conversions. Ecommerce product photography has evolved from simple, static images to dynamic, interactive visuals that allow customers to engage with products in new and exciting ways. Incorporating 3D rendering and augmented reality into product photography can create a more immersive experience, helping customers make informed purchasing decisions.

    Reply

  22. The mattress industry has traditionally relied on in-store experiences, where customers can test out different options before making a purchase. However, 3D mattress design is changing the game by bringing the customization and visualization capabilities of 3D technology to the ecommerce space. With this technology, customers can explore different mattress configurations, from selecting materials to adjusting firmness levels, all from the comfort of their homes.

    Reply

  23. The rise of 3D furniture configurators has revolutionized the way consumers shop for furniture online. These tools empower customers to customize products to their exact specifications, from choosing materials and colors to adjusting dimensions and features. The ability to personalize a product to fit their unique needs and preferences creates a more engaging and interactive shopping experience.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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