Posted on 179,237 Comments on Important Determinants of Health

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?

179,237 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health”

  2. supplement is made up of a blend of natural ingredients that have been shown to eliminate excess ceramides in the body. Ikaria Juice

    Reply

  4. Intriguing post. I Have Been pondering about this issue, so much obliged for posting. Really cool post.It “s truly extremely pleasant and Useful post.Thanks zapakovka.com

    Reply

  6. GMP standards (good manufacturing practices). That means the product is high Quality and worth the money you spend on it. Ikaria Juice

    Reply

  17. NeuroTonix has a lot to offer. You may buy this vitamin today and experience the remarkable effects it has to offer. neurotonix

    Reply

  18. It is a one-of-a-kind probiotic combination that helps the body absorb nutrients more efficiently and effectively. neurotonix

    Reply

  24. You will be astounded at how much it affects your brain, and you will begin recalling every detail within a few days. neurotonix

    Reply

  25. You have a choice between living the same old troublesome existence or living a life with a wonderful and clean gut that restores your neural networks. neurotonix

    Reply

  44. It is a wonderful blog site web page, I’ve ever considered. I discovered all the fabric on this Web-site utmost exceptional and properly printed. And, I have manufactured a choice to pay a visit to it frequently. สมัครslotpg

    Reply

  46. but you don’t know which one to decide on? It usually happens the first time you search buy firearms online, so Legit Arms shows you everything related to this world to help you decide on the one that best suits your
    taste and needs. Please feel free to visit our website https://legitarmsdealer.com/

    Reply

  47. I’m constantly searching on the internet for posts that will help me. Too much is clearly to learn about this. I believe you created good quality items in Functions also. Keep working, congrats! legsu.com

    Reply

  49. Broadway Locksmith and Doors Inc is New York City’s most reliable mobile locksmith company. We offer a full range of locksmith services for residential and commercial properties, including home lockouts, door lock changes, lock installation, lock repair, and lock re-keying. Our well-trained locksmith technicians are spread across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. We are licensed and insured and offer emergency locksmith services 24/7, with free consultations and service calls. We also provide door and window repairs, installation, and replacement services. As reputable locksmiths, we prioritize providing our customers with high-quality services at affordable prices.

    Brooklyn locksmith

    Reply

  50. Sarkari Result is a job Portal which have updated details of all Latest Sarkari Results, sarkari exam, sarkari job, sarkari naukri, sarkari rojgar, rojgar result, Sarkari Result Scholarship, Admit Card, Latest Jobs, Govt Jobs in various sectors of Central and State Govt Jobs. SarkariResult

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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