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?

211,812 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. My spouse and i ended up being absolutely peaceful when Jordan managed to complete his studies from the ideas he made when using the blog. It’s not at all simplistic just to always be handing out procedures which often the rest might have been trying to sell. So we see we’ve got the writer to appreciate because of that. All of the explanations you’ve made, the easy site navigation, the friendships your site help foster – it’s all incredible, and it is leading our son in addition to the family feel that the situation is fun, and that is exceptionally indispensable. Thank you for the whole lot! scented oil diffuser

    Reply

  2. I am interested in looking for more of such topics and would like to have further information. Hope to see the next blog soon. Jawa88 Daftar

    Reply

  3. I am interested in looking for more of such topics and would like to have further information. Hope to see the next blog soon. Jawa88 Daftar

    Reply

  4. Hi there to every one, it’s actually a nice for me to go to see this
    web page, it contains priceless Information.

    Stop by my webpage: go to my blog

    Reply

  5. Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having trouble
    locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some
    suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
    Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it improve over time.

    My site: กติกาบอลสเต็ป

    Reply

  6. Hey there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to check it out. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Superb blog and wonderful design. Jawa88

    Reply

  7. Togel game is one of the most popular forms of online games, this game is increasingly popular among online togel players. It has even become part of the local community tradition, For more information, you can visit our website https://playerprotogel.id

    Reply

  8. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes
    which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come
    here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme?
    Outstanding work!

    my webpage … click link

    Reply

  9. Great website. Plenty of helpful information here. I am sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks in your effort! Jawa88 Daftar

    Reply

  10. You’ve made some decent points there. I looked on the web for additional information about the issue and found most individuals will go along
    with your views on this website.

    Also visit my web blog – international pharmacy

    Reply

  11. Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish only about gossips and internet and this is really irritating. A good website with interesting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for keeping this web site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can’t find it. Jawa88 Slot

    Reply

  12. Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it
    to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed.

    There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
    She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

    Visit my web page – haki- holownicze Siemianowice

    Reply

  13. It’s actually a great and useful piece of information. I’m glad that you shared this
    helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Also visit my site sss tiktok without watermark

    Reply

  14. It’s my belief mesothelioma can be the most lethal cancer. It contains unusual characteristics. The more I look at it the greater I am certain it does not respond like a true solid tissues cancer. In the event mesothelioma is often a rogue virus-like infection, therefore there is the chance for developing a vaccine along with offering vaccination for asbestos open people who are really at high risk associated with developing future asbestos associated malignancies. Thanks for sharing your ideas about this important health issue. Worldvision

    Reply

  15. What an illuminating and reflective write-up!
    I ought to declare , your analysis of this crucial matter was truly exceptional .

    The scope and subtlety you brought to the discussion was
    extraordinary , shedding new understanding on the subtleties
    at work .
    I came across myself concurring as I read
    through your expertly crafted arguments
    . The fashion you were equipped to refine the fundamental concepts excluding streamlining was specifically
    exceptional.
    It’s obvious you’ve invested a considerable time of energy into researching this matter .

    This article has offered me a significant amount to reflect on and has
    prompted me to reconsider particular components of my personal mindset.

    I cherish you investing the resources to convey your
    mastery – write-ups like this are exceptionally priceless in progressing the wider
    dialogue .
    I look forward to reading more of your
    information in the months to come . Kindly sustain the exceptional
    contributions!

    Feel free to visit my page – สล็อตแตกง่าย ค่าย microgaming

    Reply

  16. I’ll right away grasp your rss feed as I can’t to find your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service.
    Do you have any? Kindly let me know so that I may just subscribe.

    Thanks.

    Feel free to surf to my webpage Bokep Viral

    Reply

  17. I do not even understand how I stopped up right here, but I
    thought this post was good. I don’t recognise who you might
    be however certainly you are going to a well-known blogger
    should you aren’t already. Cheers!

    Check out my web-site … international pharmacy

    Reply

  18. Important determinants of health include factors like genetics, lifestyle choices, environment, and healthcare access. These elements collectively influence an individual’s overall well-being and health outcomes. Similarly, the vn pro allows users to adjust settings to personalize their digital experience, improving functionality based on personal preferences.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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