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?

131,550 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up. Great work. dash diet

    Reply

  2. Our online exam facility is designed to indulge to students who are acquiring the immediate assist. Lots of students are thinking, can I pay someone to take my online exam for me. Hang On, here you can. Just pay someone to entire online exam for you at best online class help and secure your success. Take My Online Class For Me

    Reply

  3. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up. Great work. banking

    Reply

  4. Hastalık ne zaman kimin başına ne şekilde geleceği bilinmeyen bir durumdur. Hastalık halinde insanlar kısa süreli ya da uzun süreli yatağa bağlı kalabilirler. hasta yatağı kiralama

    Reply

  5. Borsa formasyonlar, yatırımcıların işlem yaparken işlerine yarayacak olan verileri analiz edebilmeleri açısından önemlidir. viop nedir

    Reply

  6. Euro Tahminleri. Euro Yükselir? Euro Düşer mi? Döviz kurlarının son dönemde çok hızlı hareketler yaptığı Türkiye’de vatandaşlar Euro ne zaman düşer sorusunun yanıtını aramaya başladı. en iyi forex şirketleri

    Reply

  7. İmkansiz denileni başardık biz gamze hocayla nasıl mı:Asla bir bebek sahibi olamazsın dedi diğer hekimler çünkü onlara göre yumurtalık rezervi iyi değildi gamze hocayla tanışana dek bende umutsuzluğa kapılmıştım gamze hocam bana sabrı mesleki deneyimi ve titiz çalışmaları sonucunda Allahın da izniyle bir kız çocuk verdi şimdi kızım 2.5 yaşında çok şükür yavrumun saglıgına varlığına. İyiki varsınız hocam iyiki tanıdım sizi siz hem çok iyi bir hekim hem de çok iyi bir insansınız yumurtalık kisti

    Reply

  8. En İyi Ankara Tuvalet Tıkanıklığı Açma Hizmetlerimiz Ankara Tuvalet Gideri Açma Pis Su Gider Tıkanıklığı Açma Servisi 7/24 Hizmet Ankara tesisatçı

    Reply

  9. Başarılı faaliyetleri sayesinde adından sıklıkla söz ettiren firma, tüm ilçelerde 7/24 hizmet vererek, en yüksek standartlarda geliştirilen Avrupa imalatı araçlar kullanmaktadır. sepetli vinç kiralama

    Reply

  10. An intriguing discussion might be priced at comment. I do think you should write much more about this topic, it will not often be a taboo subject but generally folks are insufficient to speak on such topics. To another. Cheers best movies on netflix

    Reply

  11. Hi there, I discovered your blog per Google bit searching for such kinda educational advise moreover your inform beholds very remarkable for me. BLACK MAGIC CURE

    Reply

  12. Acknowledges for penmanship such a worthy column, I stumbled beside your blog besides predict a handful advise. I want your tone of manuscript… RUQYA

    Reply

  13. Yes i am totally agreed with this article and i just want say that this article is very nice and very informative article.I will make sure to be reading your blog more. You made a good point but I can’t help but wonder, what about the other side? !!!!!!Thanks 犀利士購買

    Reply

  14. Thank you for providing such an informative blog. I was able to find what I was seeking for after visiting your blog.
    mym gratuit

    Reply

  15. It’s late finding this act. At least, it’s a thing to be familiar with that there are such events exist. I agree with your Blog and I will be back to inspect it more in the future so please keep up your act. Merchant Processing Sales

    Reply

  16. Thank you for providing such an informative blog. I was able to find what I was seeking for after visiting your blog.
    mym gratuit

    Reply

  17. It is considered to be one of the best and best printers in the world. Create and write OpenType and web fonts because it has a lot of high design work. These tools are the choice of the expert. And mature tasks are easy enough for users of all abilities FontCreator Crack. With Font Generator, You can customize and modify TrueType fonts on your computer.

    Reply

  18. Like My Choice offer a huge variety of flower headband available in different colors and attractive design. Shop Now and enhance your style. flower headband

    Reply

  19. U maak hier soveel goeie punte dat ek u artikel ‘n paar keer gelees het. U sienings is meestal in ooreenstemming met my eie. Dit is ‘n uitstekende inhoud vir u lesers.

    먹튀사이트

    Reply

  20. Existem algumas datas de corte interessantes neste artigo, mas não sei se vejo todas elas de coração a coração. Pode haver alguma validade, no entanto, vou manter a opinião até que eu analise mais a fundo. Bom artigo, obrigado e gostaríamos de extra! Adicionado ao FeedBurner corretamente

    https://www.totosafeguide.com

    Reply

  21. Mmm.. estimable to be here in your report or notify, whatever, I repute I should moreover process strong for my have website want I play some salubrious further updated busy in your location. 토토사이트

    Reply

  22. This type of article that enlighted me all throughout and thanks for this.This going to be excitement and have fun to read. thank to it. check this out to for further exciting.
    온라인카지노

    Reply

  23. If you are still looking for trustworthy Assignment Help your search ends here. The GreatAssignmentHelper.com has got the largest team of expert professional writers offering stranded understudies perfectly convenient and bespoke compositions worthy of outstanding grades through its Online Assignment Help desk. Besides, we provide the most affordable Assignment Help UAE.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to bilal Cancel reply

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