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?

207,939 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

    1. If you are an internet user on daily basis then must checkout this site. It has been an amazing experience. Believe me it’s totally worth of your time. Suggested to everyone! gc6ge600

      Reply

  1. Good day I am so glad I found your web site, I really found you by mistake, while I was looking on Aol for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a fantastic post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the awesome work. 먹튀검증

    Reply

  2. it was a wonderful chance to visit this kind of site and I am happy to know. thank you so much for giving us a chance to have this opportunity.. UPSC Full Form

    Reply

  3. You have a certifiable limit with regards to making one out of a sort substance. I like how you think and the manner in which you address your points of view in this article. I agree with your mentality. Thankful to you for sharing. ytmate

    Reply

  4. You produced some decent points there. I looked on-line for your problem and found most people is going together with using your site. 먹튀검증

    Reply

  5. MetalLeaves is a manufacturer that works with quality materials to produce metal foils, metal leaves, and flanks metaleaves gold leaf for customers. We are delivering top-quality products produced from our advanced melting system

    Reply

  6. You made such an interesting piece to read, giving every subject enlightenment for us to gain knowledge. Thanks for sharing the such information with us to read this… Digital Global Times

    Reply

  7. Great post i must say and thanks for the information. Education is definitely a sticky subject. However, is still among the leading topics of our time. I appreciate your post and look forward to more home cleaning new york youtube downloader mp3

    Reply

  8. Detailz Construction provides specialty services including exterior concrete flatwork and concrete specialty work, exterior patios & hardscapes, masonry work including brick restoration, maryland contractors baltimore, stucco, retaining walls and more. Additionally, we specialize in concrete to include driveways, sidewalks, foundations, foundation structural support much more. Our skilled team can help you design or create a space that’s comfortable, relaxing and proud to call home.

    Reply

  9. When I visit this site there’s new things and improved will be able to study from. Haha I’ve experienced your source code too many times to master how you’re doing things so we could wear them my site. Thanks! I can teach you about methods to easy. check my site

    Reply

  10. it’s really nice and meanful. it’s really cool blog. Linking is very useful thing.you have really helped lots of people who visit blog and provide them usefull information. kissasian sh

    Reply

  11. Great post i must say and thanks for the information. Education is definitely a sticky subject. However, is still among the leading topics of our time. I appreciate your post and look forward to more.

    Reply

  12. Efficiently written information. It will be profitable to anybody who utilizes it, counting me. Keep up the good work. For certain I will review out more posts day in and day out. gmail.com login

    Reply

  13. If you don’t fix the “Outlook cannot connect to server” error, your Outlook account can become worthless and you might lose data. Due to the error’s failure to establish a connection with the Exchange server, you are unable to access your Outlook account or mailbox contents.

    Reply

  14. Nice information, valuable and excellent design, as share good stuff with good ideas and concepts, lots of great information and inspiration, both of which I need, thanks to offer such a helpful information here. 안전놀이터

    Reply

  15. There is so much in this article that I would never have thought of on my own. Your content gives readers things to think about in an interesting way. 안전놀이터

    Reply

  16. It’s very informative and you are obviously very knowledgeable in this area. You have opened my eyes to varying views on this topic with interesting and solid content. custom jackets

    Reply

  17. Initial You got a awesome blog .I determination be involved in plus uniform minutes. i view you got truly very functional matters , i determination be always checking your blog blesss. 안전놀이터

    Reply

  18. pgslot
    PG Slotและเว็บตรงPG
    สล็อตเว็บตรง เป็นค่ายเกมส์ที่หาเงินได้ง่ายและเป็นค่ายเกมส์ที่มีตัวเกมส์ที่สนุกสนานและแปลกตาไม่เหมือนกับค่ายอื่นๆและยังมีระบบโบนัสที่เยอะและสุ่มแจกทุกวันอีกด้วย คนนิยมเล่นPG Slot เพราะมีค่ายเกมส์อย่างWays of the Qilin นั่นเองเพราะเป็นตัวเกมส์ที่สนุกสนานแล้วมีผู้ให้ความสนใจมากเพราะมีลักษณะภาพหรือลูกเล่นที่คมชัดและสมจริงเลยทำให้คนนิยมเล่นเกมส์ Ways of the Qilin แรงบันดาลใจจากคนสร้างที่มีคนไปสัมภาษณ์ ผู้สร้างเป็นคนที่ชอบหนังเรื่องสุดสาครและตัวละครที่เขาชอบมากที่สุดคือม้านิลมังกรเพราะเป็นตัวละครที่เท่และดูดุดันเลยทำให้ผู้สร้างได้หยิบตัวละครของม้านิลมังกรมาทำเป็นตัวเกมส์และออกแบบให้สวยงามอย่างที่ลูกค้าชอบและค่อยอัปเดตตัวเกมส์เพื่อให้มีสีที่สดใสอยู่ตลอดทุกวันหากลูกค้าสนใจต้องค่ายเกมส์เว็บตรงPGเพราะเว็บตรงPG เป็นค่ายเกมส์ที่มีคุณภาพและมีการแจกเงินรางวัลและเป็นค่ายเกมส์ที่มีโบนัสลงเยอะกว่าเว็ปย่อย ลูกค้าส่วนใหญ่เลยให้ความนิยมเว็ปตรงมากกว่าเว็ปย่อยของPG Slot หากลูกค้าคนไหนไม่มั่นใจว่าเล่นแล้วได้เงินจริงหรือไหม โอนเข้าไปแล้วจะทำรายการถอนได้ หากสนใจหรือให้ความสนใจ เกี่ยวกับPG Slot ทางเราแนะนำClubred 666 เป็นค่ายเกมส์ที่มีความซื่อสัจ และมั่นคง ด้านการเงินเป็นอย่างมากและคอยมีของขวัญหรือของรางวัลให้ลูกค้าที่เล่น Clubred 666 ตลอดไม่ว่าจะเป็นทอง หรือเงิน หรือไอแพด ทางเว็ปก็เคยแจกกันไปแบบฟรีๆอีกแล้วด้วย

    Reply

  19. Hello everyone, my name is Amelia Wilson and I am a technical geek. I am here for those peoples who are having difficulty to bought new laptop according to his/her need; I will suggest Google Pixelbook 12in in because it has fabulous multi features with advance technology. For more information, you may read this article on Vronns.

    Reply

  20. Using writers’ exercises such as “chunking”. They use many websites that contain several creative writing exercises. Writers read an exercise, and do it. 토토사이트

    Reply

  21. I discovered your blog internet site on bing and appearance several of your early posts. Preserve up the very good operate. I just now additional the RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking toward reading far more on your part down the road!… 안전놀이터

    Reply

  22. Hello! I just now would choose to supply a enormous thumbs up with the great information you could have here within this post. I will be coming back to your blog site for additional soon. 안전놀이터

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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