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?

207,387 thoughts on “Important Determinants of Health

  1. Wow, excellent post. I’d like to draft like this too – taking time and real hard work to make a great article. This post has encouraged me to write some posts that I am going to write soon. Jaisalmer Desert Camp

    Reply

  2. Oh I hope you really enjoy yourself and your family! That sounds wonderful! Take lots of great pictures and maybe make a little scrapbook for Mia to remember the trip? How fun! 🙂
    https://www.19guide03.com

    Reply

  3. We provide free access to SEO domain metrics similar to Spamzilla and Domcop (they charge a lot of money for access to this data), so you could write about free alternatives to these services or something along those lines. Domain Research Labs

    Reply

  4. Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you may be a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back sometime soon. for more information click here
    https://www.sportstotozone.com/

    Reply

  5. You also checked this site. this is a very nice and helpful sites for the online betting sites. Visit this site
    Chandigarh Call Girls will provide best fun to men as they are very experienced. Our escort agency is working for the last few years, they have learned a lot about erotic fun to customers.
    https://www.escortschandigarhcallgirls.com/

    Reply

  6. the smartest person in the world I am a person who learns from everyone The most loved토토사이트person is the one who praises The strongest people are those who can control their emotions

    Reply

  7. Nice post, keep sharing these types of informative posts.

    Reply

  8. Nice post, keep sharing these types of informative posts.

    Reply

  9. I can still see your smile A song filled with memories we heard together Melody of the song we sang https://totochips.com together I will always keep it in my heart until the day time stops I want to keep singing until my throat bursts i will call you

    Reply

  10. 적합한 비아그라 복용량

    성행위 1시간 전에 복용하고 초권장용량은 25mg ~ 50mg 효과와 본인의 상태에따라 증량 감량.

    Reply

  11. Attractive, post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have liked browsing your blog posts. After all, I will surely subscribe to your feed, and I hope you will write again soon! Desert Camp Jaisalmer

    Reply

  12. This is the best article I’ve ever seen. Thank you so much. I want to see your writing every day. I’ll cheer for you to keep posting it! Have a nice day.먹튀사이트

    Reply

  13. This is the best artifcle I’ve ever seen. Thank you so much. I want to see your writing every day. I’ll cheer for you to keep posting it! Have a nice day.먹튀사이트

    Reply

  14. 적합한 비아그라 복용량

    성행위 1시간 전에 복용하고 초권장용량은 25mg ~ 50mg 효과와 본인의 상태에따라 증량 감량.

    Reply

  15. Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work. thi ielts ở đâu tphcm

    Reply

  16. I’m impressed, I must say. Actually hardly ever do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you might have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the problem is something that not enough individuals are talking intelligently about. I’m very blissful that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this. alphaslot

    Reply

  17. Finding this website made my day. I wanted to say thanks for this excellent read; I certainly enjoyed every page of it. I’ve bookmarked your site to look at new things you post. bomber mens jacket

    Reply

  18. An fascinating discussion is worth comment. I think that it’s best to write more on this topic, it won’t be a taboo topic however usually individuals are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers https://healthiness360.com/

    Reply

  19. It will always be stimulating you just read content off their writers and practice a little there. and Visit our website Roots Analysis Also Please look over the report.
    https://www.gostopsite.com/

    Reply

  20. I was reading through some of your articles on this website and I believe this website is really instructive! This is a exceptionally good post. Thankyou appropriate for keeping us informed.
    https://www.19guide03.com

    Reply

  21. 적합한 비아그라 복용량

    성행위 1시간 전에 복용하고 초권장용량은 25mg ~ 50mg 효과와 본인의 상태에따라 증량 감량.

    Reply

  22. When I read an article on this topic, majorsite the first thought was profound and difficult, and I wondered if others could understand.. My site has a discussion board for articles and photos similar to this topic. Could you please visit me when you have time to discuss this topic?

    Reply

  23. I expected to thank you for this amazing read!! I obviously venerated every single bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to take a gander at the new stuff you post. instant personal loan

    Reply

  24. Appreciates for the purpose of article a truly productive strategy, To look at manifested next to your webblog except decipher an important limited suggest. Iwould want varieties plan in inscription… winslot88

    Reply

  25. What i do not realize iYou’re so intelligent. You already know thus considerably with regards to this topic, produced me personally consider it from a lot of varied angles. Its like men and women are not involved unless it is something to do with Lady gaga!สมัครเล่นบาคาร่า Your individual stuffs outstanding. All the time care for it up!s in reality how you’re no longer really a lot more smartly-appreciated than you may be now.

    Reply

  26. This is keen, extremely a clever thought. This is my first time in your blog and I truly cherish it. A debt of gratitude is in order for this magnificent post. personal loan bank

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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