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?

210,288 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. Your blog provided us with valuable information to work with. Each & every tips of your post are awesome. Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep blogging.. go there

    Reply

  2. This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. onlyfans

    Reply

  3. definately enjoy every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff of your blog a must read blog! hp r029wm

    Reply

  4. I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post  n805f

    Reply

  5. wow this saintly however ,I love your enter plus nice pics might be part personss negative love being defrent mind total poeple , 꽁머니

    Reply

  6. This is actually the kind of information I have been trying to find. Thank you for writing this information. satta

    Reply

  7. Just admiring your work and wondering how you managed this blog so well. It’s so remarkable that I can’t afford to not go through this valuable information whenever I surf the internet! top seo companies

    Reply

  8. leather jacket men My Husband saw this and immediately sent a picture in a text. I bought it for her and it arrived for her birthday. he absolutely loves it! It fits great and looks fantastic.!!!!!!

    Reply

  9. That is the fantastic standpoint, notwithstanding is just not help with making each sence at all broadcasting about that mather. Basically any methodology a wealth of thanks despite I had attempt to propel your own article in to delicius regardless it’s anything but’s an issue using your information objections would you have the option to if it’s not too much trouble, survey the idea. thankful once more . I really thank you for the critical data on this phenomenal subject and expect more inconceivable posts. Much appreciated for getting a charge out of this greatness article with me. I’m loving it certainly! Expecting another extraordinary article. Good luck to the maker! The absolute best! 스포츠토토

    Reply

  10. If you don”t mind proceed with this extraordinary work and I anticipate a greater amount of your magnificent blog entries.  xvkf0

    Reply

  11. Thank you again for all the knowledge you distribute,Good post. I was very interested in the article, it’s quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards, seo marketing experts

    Reply

  12. I think this is an informative post and it is very useful and knowledgeable. therefore, I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. 다음드

    Reply

  13. Wigs have been around for centuries, used by people from all walks of life to change their appearance. In recent years, lace front wigs have become increasingly popular due to their realistic appearance and benefits. lace front wigs

    Reply

  14. Thanks for taking the time to discuss that, I feel strongly about this and so really like getting to know more on this kind of field. Do you mind updating your blog post with additional insight? It should be really useful for all of us. colorful home decor ideas

    Reply

  15. Thanks for posting this info. I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative. I can’t wait to read lots of your posts. ph344

    Reply

  16. I as of late went over your article and have been perusing along. I need to express my esteem of your composition expertise and capacity to make perusers read from the earliest starting point as far as possible. I might want to peruse more up to date presents and on offer my contemplations with you. ryk84

    Reply

  17. Absolutely amazing posting! Heaps of significant information and inspiration, the two of which we as a whole need!Relay welcome your work. jd090

    Reply

  18. You know your projects stand out of the herd. There is something special about them. It seems to me all of them are really brilliant! 다음드

    Reply

  19. สล็อตเว็บตรงออนไลน์
    วันนี้ clubred666 จะมาพูดถึงการบูชาและข้อมูลของพระอรหันต์ที่สำเร็จธรรม และเชื่อกันว่าเป็นพระแห่งโชคลาภ ที่มีชื่อว่า พระสังกัจจายน์พระอสีติมหาสาวก “แห่งโชคลาภ และในประเทศไทยของเรานั้นนักนิยมบูชาเป็นที่รู้จักกันเป็นอย่างมากอีกด้วย พระสังกัจจายน์นั้น เป็นพระอรหันต์ 1 ใน 80 พระอสีติมหาสาวกในศาสนาของพระโคตมพุทธเจ้า ผู้ได้รับการยกย่องว่าเป็นเอตทัคคะในทางผู้อธิบายความย่อให้พิสดาร สล็อตเว็บตรง

    Reply

  20. I went over this website and I believe you have a lot of wonderful information, saved to my bookmarks website

    Reply

  21. You re in motivation behind truth a without defect site administrator. The site stacking speed is shocking. It kind of feels that you’re doing any unmistakable trap. Furthermore, The substance are ideal gem. you have completed a marvelous activity with respect to this issue! buy shares online

    Reply

  22. Most of the time I don’t make comments on websites, but I’d like to say that this article really forced me to do so.
    슈어맨

    Reply

  23. black leather jacket Perfect for everyone who is looking for a great Black leather jacket, good that I was able to get it while it was on sale. I saw an ad before it was without the discount and didn’t want to pay for it, but because it’s on sale now, I got it immediately. Recommend~!!

    Reply

  24. I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post. this page

    Reply

  25. Stunning post I should state and grateful for the data. Bearing is evidently a sticky subject. Regardless, is still among the central subjects of our shot. 다음드

    Reply

  26. black leather jacket Perfect for everyone who is looking for a great Black leather jacket, good that I was able to get it while it was on sale. I saw an ad before it was without the discount and didn’t want to pay for it, but because it’s on sale now, I got it immediately. Recommend!!!!

    Reply

  27. I’ve been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. 다음드

    Reply

  28. An impressive share, I recently given this onto a colleague who was simply performing a little analysis for this. And then he actually bought me breakfast because I ran across it for him.. smile. So well then, i’ll reword that: Thnx for any treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending some time to discuss this, Personally i think strongly concerning this and enjoy reading much more about this topic. If you can, as you grow expertise, could you mind updating your blog site with a lot more details? It is actually extremely of great help for me. Large thumb up in this blog post! UK provisional fake driving licence

    Reply

  29. KOISLOT88 daftar 8 situs judi slot online gacor pragmatic play terbaik dan terpercaya yang menyediakan game slot online slot88 terbaru dan game judi online terlengkap di Indonesia. slot88

    Reply

  30. Thank you so much for such a well-written article. It’s full of insightful information. Your point of view is the best among many without fail. For certain, It is one of the best blogs in my opinion. 다음드

    Reply

  31. Useful information on topics that plenty are interested on for this wonderful post.Admiring the time and effort you put into your b!.. blog

    Reply

  32. This is really a nice and informative, containing all information and also has a great impact on the new technology. Thanks for sharing it 다음드

    Reply

  33. I can see that you are an expert at your field! I am launching a website soon, and your information will be very useful for me.. Thanks for all your help and wishing you all the success in your business. website

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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