Posted on 224,177 Comments on Important Determinants of Health

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?

224,177 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health”

  2. Beneath the you can have an understanding of it is important, consuming this solution presents among the many inbound links together with the exciting webpage: Crypto Investments

    Reply

  3. People texts in such a topic are typically appropriate, observe how As i had written this site can be quite high quality. leopard Gecko

    Reply

  14. I needed to thank you for this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every little bit
    of it. I’ve got you book marked to look at new stuff you post…

    Feel free to surf to my blog – dentavim uk

    Reply

  16. Wow, this is really interesting reading. I am glad I found this and got to read it. Great job on this content. I like it. slot hoki

    Reply

  20. You completed a few fine points there. I did a search on the subject and found nearly all persons will go along with with your blog. warkop4d

    Reply

  21. A powerful share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing somewhat evaluation on this. And he in actual fact purchased me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading extra on this topic. If possible, as you turn into expertise, would you thoughts updating your weblog with extra particulars? It’s highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this weblog put up! video ngentot abg

    Reply

  22. Hello, after reading this amazing article i am also
    happy to share my familiarity here with colleagues.

    my blog … nenen4d

    Reply

  24. I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much. warkop4d slot

    Reply

  26. Sometimes it is on top of that an awesome posting i actually actually favored checking out. It is really no ! on a daily basis i actually develop the odds to evaluate a little something. 순위사이트

    Reply

  28. I am continually amazed by the amount of information available on this subject. What you presented was well researched and well worded in order to get your stand on this across to all your readers. warkop4d login

    Reply

  29. definately enjoy every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff of your blog a must read blog! 스포츠중계

    Reply

  32. Thanks in support of sharing such a fastidious thinking, post is fastidious, thats why i
    have read it entirely

    Look at my web blog Terry

    Reply

  34. I have to convey my respect for your kindness for all those that require guidance on this one field. Your special commitment to passing the solution up and down has been incredibly functional and has continually empowered most people just like me to achieve their dreams. Your amazing insightful information entails much to me and especially to my peers. Thanks a ton; from all of us. slot demo

    Reply

  36. Hi there juѕt wanted too give you a quick heads up.
    The text in your article seem to be running off the scгeen in Opera.
    I’m not sure if thiks iss a format issue ooг something tо d᧐
    witһ internet browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know.
    The layout look great thօugh! Hope you get the issue solved soon. Many thanks

    Also visit my weƅsite EuropeSoftwares Forum

    Reply

  37. glad to read this Thanks for sharing your article is very helpful. Feel free if you dont mind you can visit my site to at
    sgm188

    Reply

  38. 인터넷을 검색하다가 몇 가지 정보를 찾고 있던 중 귀하의 블로그를 발견했습니다. 이 블로그에있는 정보에 깊은 인상을 받았습니다. 이 주제를 얼마나 잘 이해하고 있는지 보여줍니다. 이 페이지를 북마크에 추가했습니다. 먹튀검증

    Reply

  39. My partner and I stumbled over here coming
    from a different web address and thought I might
    check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you.
    Look forward to looking at your web page yet again.

    my website :: dentavim buy

    Reply

  40. This is a fantastic resource! I’ll definitely be sharing it with my friends. It’s packed with useful tips that everyone can benefit from
    rajabandot slot

    Reply

  44. Good to become visiting your weblog again, it has been months for me. Nicely this article that i’ve been waited for so long. I will need this post to total my assignment in the college, and it has exact same topic together with your write-up. Thanks, good share 해외축구

    Reply

  47. 이 기사를 읽었습니다. 이 기사를 만들기 위해 많은 노력을 기울인 것 같습니다. 나는 당신의 일을 좋아합니다. 토토커뮤니티

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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