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?

138,704 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. Thankful to you for your post, I look for such article along time, today I find it finally. this post give me piles of instigate it is to a marvelous degree relentless for me. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Price

    Reply

  2. Are You Struggling in Getting the Free Data Analysis Assignment Sample?
    My Assignment Services provide you the sample & also provide the assignments solutions that include the guidance of experts in every field. Our Australian experts are well qualified, they provide the best academic assistance.
    My Assignment Services provides you with the best data analysis assignment sample.

    Reply

  3. Excellent to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Rightly, this article that I’ve been served for therefore long. I want this article to finish my assignment within the faculty, and it has the same topic together with your article. Thanks for the ton of valuable help, nice share. https://visual.ly/users/tedoti3672/portfolio

    Reply

  4. “You are so entrancing! I figure I haven’t actually examined anything indistinct at this point.
    It’s remarkable to discover somebody who has an admitted thought on this point.
    Genuinely, thank you for beginning this. 토토사이트

    Reply

  5. We’re a top online skincare store in karachi providing beauty care products, home & kitchen products and kids accessories and schools kids items, buy best hair skin care products in karachi

    Reply

  6. Actually I read it yesterday but I had some thoughts about it and today I wanted to read it again because it is very well written. Dmt to buy

    Reply

  7. Интернет-магазин афролоконов и афрокудрей с доставкой по России. Материал высокого качества и консультации мастера. Эксклюзивные цвета для самой красивой афропрически. Круглосуточная поддержка. Купить афрокудри, афролоконы, волосы волной в AfrokudriShop. afrokudri.shop

    Reply

  8. Great job for publishing such a beneficial web site. Your web log isn’t only useful but it is additionally really creative too. There tend to be not many people who can certainly write not so simple posts that artistically. Continue the nice writing maxbet

    Reply

  9. Thanks for the informative content. it was very useful for me. keep sharing such info in the future as well. 9xflix

    Reply

  10. Perturbed by the thoughts of your online exams? Do Exams For Me is your one-stop solution for all the worries. Just ask us to take my online exam for me.

    Reply

  11. top quality ICA translations are required when an official document paper needs to be translated and submitted to ICA for your PR application. Singapore translators offer ica translation service to get filled your pr application form in Singapore.

    Reply

  12. I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Reading this information So i’m happy to convey that I have a very good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most certainly will make sure to don’t forget this website and give it a glance on a constant basis. bike trousers

    Reply

  13. PG SLOT เกมสล็อตออนไลน์เว็บน้องใหม่ยอดนิยมอันดับ 1 ที่กำลังมาแรงที่สุดในขณะนี้

    Reply

  14. I would like to thank you for the effort you have put into publishing this post. Your article has me eager to start my own blog now. Thanks again for taking the time to put this online. Removal company stevenage

    Reply

  15. I really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. I also want to prefer students about a website where you can hire someone to take online class for you. this website is called DO MY EXAM NOW. They have hired a team of professional experts who are highly qualified and can help you with any subject you want. You can also get Take My Biology Proctored Exam here.

    Reply

  16. We are really grateful for your blog post. Exams are the best way to check a student’s knowledge and learning about a specific subject. If you are looking for the best website about education so come to this site Easiest Online Calculus Course

    Reply

  17. I just loved your blog!. I also want yo suggest students that are reading my comment about my website Do my Exam Now. Where I provide students help for my calculus proctored exam and many more paid services like homework help and online exam help. Do check Do my exam now.

    Reply

  18. I am happy to find your distinguished way of writing the post. Now you make it easy for me to understand and implement the concept. Thank you for the post.

    Reply

  19. Australian students can now relax and get expert help with Assignment Helper. Students can enjoy some extra time along with best and timely assignment submission. GAH ensures that students should get Top grades with our experts.

    Reply

  20. Astounding information! I truly went over your blog and have been thinking along. I figured I would leave my first remark. I don’t have even the remotest sign what to say nearby that I have. Terrassenüberdachung

    Reply

  21. So part to happen over your astounding site. Your blog gets me a stunning exchange of overwhelming.. Salubrious organizing nearby the scene. Carport

    Reply

  22. Puzzling data, goliath and astonishing course of action, as thought cerebrum blowing stuff with obliging bits of information and bits of information, stores of overpowering data and motivation, the two of which I want, seeing at offer as a particularly obliging data here. Carport

    Reply

  23. Reasonable data, epic and amazing new development, as strategy cerebrum blowing stuff with sharp encounters and experiences, stores of stunning data and motivation, the two of which I n Carport

    Reply

  24. I am upbeat to locate your recognized method for composing the post. Presently you make it simple for me to comprehend and execute the idea. Much obliged to you for the post.  Sacramento Junk Removal

    Reply

  25. I would like to thank you for the effort you have put into publishing this post. Your article has me eager to start my own blog now. Thanks again for taking the time to put this online. E-visa Turquie en ligne

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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