Most public health experts would agree that Addressing Health Disparities that a discussion among policy makers is needed to address whether the inequity can be reduced or eliminated. Your assignment for this session is to explore what attempts are being made to reduce some of this disparity, and make recommendations yourself based on your research and reading. Also, answer the questions from one of the following case studies:
Case Study – Are We Culturally Aware or Not? (page 574 in textbook)
Case Study – Where Do You Live? Health Disparities across the United States (page 578 in textbook)
Draw on your knowledge, previous experiences, and the materials covered in Chapter 14 of your textbook.
Write a 500-750 word essay-style paper (excluding cover page and references) that is APA formatted and double spaced. Do not use question and answer format. Use appropriate headings within your paper to address the various questions. Although quoted material can be used, it will not count toward the word count requirement. This assignment requires at least four scholarly (peer-reviewed) references. One of the four can be the course text
Buchbinder, S. B., & Shanks, N. H. (2017). Introduction to health care management (3rd ed.).
Chapter 14: Addressing Health Disparities: Cultural Proficiency
Read the Kaiser Family Foundation’s report:
Heiman, H. & Artiga, S. (2015, November 4). “Beyond Health Care: The Role of Social Determinants in Promoting Health and Health Equity.” Kaiser Family Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/disparities-policy/issue-brief/beyond-health-care-the-role-of-social-determinants-in-promoting-health-and-health-equity/
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation does a significant amount of work and research related to promoting a “Culture of Health.” The following link is a resource: Building a Culture of Health.
……………stereotyping, bias, and clinical ambiguity all contribute to inconsistencies in medical research (Heiman & Artiga, 2015). Disparities in care are caused by multiple factors, including patients, healthcare professionals, the healthcare system, and management. According to the IOM, it is necessary to employ a comprehensive and multidimensional strategy to eradicate inequalities.
Several initiatives are underway to reduce or eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care and socioeconomic issues that influence health care outcomes. Despite these efforts, disparities in access to high-quality health care continue, and in some measurements, they are expanding. The IOM recommended a shift in provider and public perspectives. The perception of an issue influences changes in policy and practice (Heiman & Artiga, 2015). If the public or providers are unaware of a problem or misunderstand its nature, it is difficult to devote resources toward its resolution.
Expanding healthcare coverage is a further option. Health insurance influences when and where individuals seek medical care, as well as their health status. A disproportionate number of minorities are uninsured. People without health insurance are less likely to have a primary care physician, receive routine care, and be hospitalized for preventable conditions. Minority groups value expansions of health insurance coverage.
Are We Culturally Aware or Not?
In the first scenario, the practice manager should explain that, due to the challenges posed by the practice's growing and increasingly diverse patient population, she wants to ensure that the staff can work effectively in a cross-cultural setti………….