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?

202,661 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. You’ll notice several contrasting points from New york Weight reduction eating plan and every one one may be useful. The first point will probably be authentic relinquishing on this excessive. lose weight learn from fiverr

    Reply

  2. This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post. 먹튀검증

    Reply

  3. I precisely needed to thank you so much yet again. I do not know the things I would’ve taken care of without these secrets contributed by you regarding this problem. It seemed to be a very frightful crisis for me, but encountering a new well-written tactic you processed it forced me to jump with contentment. Now i am happier for the work and hope you are aware of an amazing job you happen to be getting into educating people through your web blog. Probably you haven’t come across any of us. Packers and Movers Kanpur

    Reply

  4. The leather is a symbol of strength and protection used by the warriors, and gladiator as armor now turned into a Jacket fashion. EYECATCHED, unlike jackets made of other materials, does not deteriorate with time. Leather jackets are made from a variety of animal hides, Cowhide is one of the most common and most affordable types of leather used in Leather Jackets. Leather Jacket

    Reply

  5. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
    슈어맨 보증

    Reply

  6. This post is genuinely incredible. I really like this post. It is remarkable among different posts that I ve read in a long time. You shake for this alright post. I genuinely welcome it! puppies sale singapore

    Reply

  7. Bagywagy is the second biggest export-oriented industry in the manufacturing sector and is third in its contribution to the overall exports of the World. Bagywagy core products are leather jackets. We have an amazingly wide range of the best leather jackets for men imaginable, right here at Bagywagy. We can craft Leather Jackets as per your demand for you. From design development, colors, materials, details, and more, our customer service agents are~!! here for you for assistance. leather jacket

    Reply

  8. Hivelance is the top DeFi Development Company, providing DeFi solutions on decentralised exchange platform development such as pancakeswap clone script

    Reply

  9. You have a genuine capacity for composing one of a kind substance. I like how you think and the way you speak to your perspectives in this article. I concur with your mindset. Much obliged to you for sharing. 物理補習社

    Reply

  10. I’m happy I located this blog! From time to time, students want to cognitive the keys of productive literary essays composing. Your first-class knowledge about this good post can become a proper basis for such people.
    슈어맨 보증

    Reply

  11. Very good article. I absolutely like this post. Thanks for your post. The article is neatly organized with the information I want, so there are many things to refer to. Bookmark this site and visit often in the future. Thanks again.토토

    Reply

  12. Very good article. I absolutely like this post. Thanks for your post. The article is neatly organized with the information I want, so there are many things to refer to. Bookmark this site and visit often in the future. Thanks again.토토

    Reply

  13. What a fantabulous post this has been. Never seen this kind of useful post. I am grateful to you and expect more number of posts like these. Thank you very much.
    슈어맨 보증

    Reply

  14. Also, driving while under the influence of marijuana remains illegal, as does smoking in public. Use or possession of pot on school premises or on school buses remains prohibited. And yes, it remains illegal to smoke in a jail or a penitentiary, regardless of your medical condition. Medical Marijuana Card New York

    Reply

  15. Quality posts is the important to invite the users to pay a quick visit the website, that’s what this website is providing. 안전토토

    Reply

  16. Every weekend i used to pay a visit this site, as i want enjoyment, since this this web site conations really nice funny stuff too. 토토사이트

    Reply

  17. Hello! I just wish to give an enormous thumbs up for the nice info you’ve got right here on this post. I will probably be coming back to your weblog for more soon!
    슈어맨 보증

    Reply

  18. I came to this site with the introduction of a friend around me and I was very impressed when I found your writing. I’ll come back often after bookmarking! 안전토토

    Reply

  19. Quality posts is the important to invite the users to pay a quick visit the website, that’s what this website is providing. 토토사이트

    Reply

  20. blog soon but have no coding knowledge so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated! 안전토토

    Reply

  21. Voicemod License Keys would be the instinctive application options to give a friendly interface to carry out plenty of of the voice shifting responsibilities most often. The wonderful software that appreciates you transforming the audio in numerous online apps to enjoy games and revel in all the striking audio consequences.
    สล็อตเบทเริ่มต้น 1 บาท

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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