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?

207,712 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. Игровой автомат Great Rhino предлагает прорва возможностей для выигрыша и увлекательный игровой процесс.
    Вы можете наслаждаться игрой как на реальные
    деньги, так и в демо-режиме.
    great rhino megaways слот slottyclub Rhino
    слот – это захватывающий слот, кой перенесет вас в
    мир африканских просторов
    и встретит с величественными животными.
    Давайте подробнее рассмотрим эту игру.
    Прежде чем начать музицировать на реальные деньги,
    рекомендуется опробовать демо-версию Great Rhino.
    Это позволит вам постичь особенности
    игры и разработать стратегию без
    риска потери средств. Когда вы будете готовы вкусить свою удачу настоящими ставками, переходите на игру на реальные денежки в Great
    Rhino. Вас ждут захватывающие эмоции и вероятность выиграть крупные суммы!
    Заключение: погрузитесь в вселенная
    Great Rhino с плтаформой slottec1 и slottyclub

    Reply

  2. Haymarket Publishers is a leading publisher on book projects, offering expert services in editing, design, and distribution to bring authors’ visions to life.

    Reply

  3. สร้างเว็บไซต์ระดับมืออาชีพด้วยเทมเพลตฟรีและปรับแต่งได้มากกว่า
    100 แบบ พร้อมฟีเจอร์อีคอมเมิร์ซอันทรงพลังเพื่อเพิ่มยอดขายของคุณ เริ่มต้นเส้นทางธุรกิจออนไลน์ของคุณวันนี้ด้วยการตีกลับออนไลน์และทำให้เว็บไซต์ของคุณทำงานได้อย่างรวดเร็ว

    My homepage เล่นคาสิโนออนไลน์ได้เงินจริงหรือไม่ (aprelium.com)

    Reply

  4. You can only find entertainment games that can also be used as a place to make money in this game, By playing this amazing and very profitable online game, Therefore, if you want to know more information, please visit our website https://sawersketer.id

    Reply

  5. Pretty part of content. I simply stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to say that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your weblog posts.

    Anyway I’ll be subscribing in your augment and even I achievement you access constantly fast.

    Also visit my page … hey

    Reply

  6. Excellent blog you have here but I was curious if you knew of any
    discussion boards that cover the same topics talked about here?

    I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get responses from other
    knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations,
    please let me know. Appreciate it!

    My web blog: ngentot anjing

    Reply

  7. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long
    as I provide credit and sources back to your site?
    My blog site is in the exact same niche as yours and my users would really benefit from a lot of the information you
    provide here. Please let me know if this alright with you.
    Thanks!

    Also visit my website – designer saree covers

    Reply

  8. Heya fantastic website! Does running a blog like this take a lot of work?
    I’ve virtually no expertise in programming but I was hoping to start
    my own blog soon. Anyways, should you have any ideas or tips for new blog owners please share.
    I know this is off topic but I just had to ask. Thank you!

    Feel free to visit my site; Jackpot Bet Online

    Reply

  9. Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and
    found that it’s really informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels.
    I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing.
    Cheers!

    Feel free to visit my blog post … DMG Mori CNC machining machines

    Reply

  10. I’m not sure exactly why but this website is loading very slow for me.
    Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem
    on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.

    Review my web page online medicine shopping

    Reply

  11. Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across
    this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot.
    I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.

    Feel free to visit my web blog; SEX

    Reply

  12. Phenomenal Blog Write-up
    Gosh , what an thought-provoking and reflective article
    ! I found myself concurring as I skimmed through your examination of this
    vital issue .
    Your arguments were meticulously studied and presented in a coherent , persuasive manner.
    I particularly appreciated how you were empowered to distill the core nuances and complexities
    at work , excluding oversimplifying or overlooking the
    obstacles .
    This write-up has offered me a substantial amount to mull over.

    You’ve definitively enlarged my knowledge and transformed my viewpoint in some impactful
    fashions .
    Thank you for devoting the energy to
    share your proficiency on this topic . Posts like this are extremely
    a invaluable contribution to the conversation. I look forward to
    witnessing what other insightful data you have in supply.

    Look into my blog – ebet sports

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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