Overview

This week’s blog concerns factors that determine an individual’s access to health in my community. When comparing a community that has two distinct towns side by side, Niskayuna and Schenectady, it seems that we find a difference in access to healthcare resources. In last week’s blog, I wrote about different socioeconomic factors that may explain the contrast between Niskayuna and Schenectady and how they affect the health of both communities. Those factors directly affect an individual’s access to care in their community. This notion suggests some thought-provoking questions: why does one community have a significantly different access to healthcare resources? What are people doing to change the services and help those who can not access necessary care? 

Brief Analysis of Access to Care

Financial resources and employment are two important factors in determining an individual’s access to care. As explained last week, Niskayuna’s average income and property values are more than double Schenectady’s, so those who live in Niskayuna have more financial resources to access more healthcare services (1,2). Increased financial resources may improve access to care including access to more healthcare practices, transportation, and other essential services needed to improve their health. For

A Ellis Hospital worker putting a sample in a biohazard bag at a coronavirus testing site (Source https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Where-to-get-tested-for-COVID-19-in-the-Capital-15215204.php)

example, Ellis Hospital in Schenectady serves both communities. During the first COVID-19 peak in New York in April,  Ellis Hospital opened pop-up testing clinics at their clinic in Schenectady to serve the inner-city and underserved population in Schenectady that may not have access to other testing areas (3).

Along with financial resources, another important factor in access to care are healthcare plans; in this area, CDPHP and MVP healthcare are amongst the healthcare insurers. It seems plausible that those in Niskayuna have access to better healthcare plans that cover more of the healthcare services and may pay less out of pocket because their employers may offer better plans. To contrast that, there are programs designed for Schenectady residents that are using Medicaid or are uninsured so that they have access to quality affordable healthcare. This is a sad truth, why do healthcare plans have to exist in gradations so that only those who can afford ‘good’ plans will have better coverage? Is there a correlation between financial resources and quality of healthcare plans? 

How are people helping to change access?

Healthcare is an important necessity that can help change the trajectory of a person’s life. Especially now during a pandemic, access to healthcare is important for all individuals. Hometown Health Centers (HHC), a not-for-profit medical center in Schenectady, launched a telemedicine healthcare program in Schenectady for the medically underserved population (4). Hometown Health Centers provide care for the low-income populations in Schenectady, and is centrally located in Downtown Schenectady so that many people have access to the clinic. Many in the patient population are high-risk, have chronic illnesses, and do not have access to computers or don’t know how to use them (4). Their medical team conducts assessments over the phone and schedules appointments; medical team members wearing PPE travel to the person’s house and take vitals (4). Then, they set up a call with an iPad over LTE to a physician at HHC to conduct a detailed interview for the patient (4). What is most important is that the medical staff analyze the people’s medical conditions, housing conditions, and access to resources in order to make recommendations and connections to outside organizations that can provide care (4). This personalized care approach is very important because patients are receiving tailored care for their clinical needs, and this approach is most valuable when trying to improve people’s health. 

Empower Health is an initiative that was started by the City Mission, Alliance for Better Health, MVP Healthcare, and Hometown Health Centers. The City Mission is an organization that provides shelter, food, and career training for the homeless. The Alliance for Better Health is a consortium of organizations that coordinates outreach and resources for the marginalized populations. With the backing of multiple organizations, Empower Health was able to receive the necessary financial support to facilitate the community outreach (5). This program is meant to connect at-risk residents, who may

The Health Ambassadors of Empower Health (Source: https://dailygazette.com/2019/10/12/foss-health-ambassadors-hit-the-streets/)

be uninsured or on Medicaid, to different healthcare services (5). Part of the program is community outreach, where health ambassadors will approach those in the community at “municipal housing, food pantries, bus stops, shelters…” to explain about the services offered by the program (5). The three ambassadors are Keisha Dunson, Eddie Polanco, and Yetzabel Miranda (5). I think this is a really important service because it will allow those in the community who may not have access to necessary resources to learn about new resources and give them the opportunity to access them. Eddie Polanco, one of the Health Ambassadors, used to be a resident at the City Mission, and remembered what it felt like when he was struggling to access resources, so he is giving back to the community by helping those who need the care (6). The goal of this program is to connect people to healthcare resources, so it will improve individual and community health. 

These two programs are great examples of people and organizations taking initiatives to provide care for diverse populations in the community. These programs can reach the underserved and at-risk populations, and provide those who may not have access to quality care. What kind of programs and services are in your community that can reach the diverse populations and are making an impact? Would a universal healthcare system change the landscape of these programs and the care for diverse populations in the community? In my opinion, we need to take more action to make sure that everyone receives an equitable amount of care. 

References

  1. “QuickFacts: Niskayuna Town, Schenectady County, New York.” United States Census Bureau, United States Census Bureau, www.census.gov/quickfacts/niskayunatownschenectadycountynewyork.
  2. “ QuickFacts: Schenectady City, New York.” United States Census Bureau, United States Census Bureau, www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/schenectadycitynewyork/PST045219
  3. DeMola, Pete, and Erica Miller. “Pop-up COVID-19 Testing Sites to Target Underserved Schenectady Residents.” The Daily Gazette, dailygazette.com/2020/04/27/pop-up-covid-19-testing-sites-to-target-underserved-schenectady-residents/.
  4. “Home Visitation Program a ‘Game Changer’ for Schenectady’s Medically Underserved Patients.” Hometown Health Centers, www.hometownhealthcenters.org/news/78-home-visitation-program-a-game-changer-for-schenectady-s-medically-underserved-patients.
  5. Schenectady Program Connects At-Risk Residents to Healthcare. Hometown Health Centers, www.hometownhealthcenters.org/news/48-schenectady-program-connects-at-risk-residents-to-healthcare.
  6. Foss, Sara. “Foss: Health Ambassadors Hit the Streets.” The Daily Gazette, 12 Oct. 2019, dailygazette.com/2019/10/12/foss-health-ambassadors-hit-the-streets/.