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?

137,077 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. Robes are for the man who wants Luxury, we use the finest materials to make these robes in 100% Pure Silk. A back lapel, belt loops, and plain front will make you feel confident and comfortable. Mens Silk Robe

    Reply

  2. Its an extraordinary delight perusing your post.Its brimming with data I’m searching for and I love to post a remark that “The substance of your post is magnificent” Incredible work. สล็อต

    Reply

  3. I found Hubwit as a transparent s ite, a social hub which is a conglomerate of Buyers and Sellers who are ready to offer online digital consultancy at decent cost. url shortener

    Reply

  4. I am really enjoying reading your well written articles. It looks like you spend a lot of effort and time on your blog. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work. entrepreneur new post

    Reply

  5. pleasant post, stay aware of this fascinating work. It truly regards realize that this subject is being secured likewise on this site so cheers for setting aside time to talk about this! Books on depression

    Reply

  6. Thank you so much for sharing this great blog.Very inspiring and helpful too.Hope you continue to share more of your ideas.I will definitely love to read Mobilier commercial

    Reply

  7. This is a wonderful article, Given so much info in it, These type of articles keeps the users interest in the website, and keep on sharing more … good luck. what is entrepreneur

    Reply

  8. 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. what is entrepreneur

    Reply

  9. The information you provided is very useful for everyone. Thank you.
    Brandhop Media is the best website design company in Kerala, India. Visit for more details about website design company on Brandhop Media.

    Reply

  10. Awesome article, it was exceptionally helpful! I simply began in this and I’m becoming more acquainted with it better! Cheers, keep doing awesome! forenlinks kaufen

    Reply

  11. There is noticeably a lot to realize about this. I suppose you made certain nice points in features also. Bufetes

    Reply

  12. I enjoy kinds very own post. It will be respectable to get a single narrative inside and outside of the core of this distinctive core specialized niche will likely be commonly knowledgeable. https://betman.one

    Reply

  13. check it out
    Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you are a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and may come back very soon. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great job, have a nice weekend.

    Reply

  14. In schools and institutions today, the majority of pupils choose mass communication and entertainment as their primary topic and pursue it to a greater degree. As a result, students encounter some amount of difficulty when completing tasks on the same. Students commonly ask for help with their mass communication coursework or homework. do my homework is the best option for you if you need assistance with your mass communication homework. It offers the most genuine assignment help available, and it does so without any instances of plagiarism.

    Reply

  15. I truly value the sort of points you post here. Gratitude for sharing us an extraordinary data that is really useful. Great day! SLOT ONLINE

    Reply

  16. Hello there, I discovered your site by the use of Google even as looking for a similar topic, your web site came up, it seems great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks. Michael Kors

    Reply

  17. Much thanks to you again for all the information you distribute,Good post. I was extremely keen on the article, it’s very motivating I ought to concede. I like visiting you site since I generally run over fascinating articles like this one.Great Work, I extraordinarily value that.Do Continue to share! Respects, PG SLOT AUTO

    Reply

  18. Thank you for giving this information. This is a very helpful post. Also I am a professional academic writer and I am providing architecture assignment help service in UK. You can buy at an affordable price.

    Reply

  19. I’m happy I found this site, I was unable to find any information on this matter earlier to.Also work a website and in the event that you are at any point keen on doing some guest composing for me on the off chance that conceivable go ahead and let me know, im consistently search for individuals to look at my site. PG SLOT

    Reply

  20. Great Topic i am happy to see article all information was very well keep up the good work thanks for sharing us beautiful topic awesome if you want to health medical resources free reads Aspadol 100 mg

    Reply

  21. I can see that you are a specialist at your field! I’m sending off a site soon, and your data will be extremely valuable for me.. Gratitude for all your assistance and wishing you all the outcome in your business. PGSLOT

    Reply

  22. I as of late ran over your blog and have been perusing along. I figured I would leave my most memorable remark. I don’t have the foggiest idea what to say with the exception of that I have delighted in perusing. PG

    Reply

  23. Our Insurance companie gets traffic camera footage from all over the world. We use that footage to determine the exact position of your car on the road at any given time. This allows us to decide whether we have a claim for you, or whether you’re safe on the road.

    Reply

  24. It’s an superb post and that i completely accept that which you said. I’m attempting to set up the Rss feed however i ‘m definitely not really pc well written. Might somebody let me know how allow me to set up the Feed so I get informed of any brand new post? You need to explain it within an straightforward method as I am obtaining old. Sell my house

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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