Ethics of Health Promotion: Access to Care Issues



Ethics of Health Promotion: Access to Care IssuesAmy Lampen & Ashley BorowiakFerris State UniversityAbstractIn this essay, the authors discuss the growing issues with little to no access to health care in vulnerable populations. With much of the population not receiving adequate and timely health care, the number of diseases and lack of prevention is unfortunately increasing. Adults who are uninsured are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages of diseases, and are less likely to have a consistent source of medical care, decreasing their likelihood of receiving primary care (Koh & Tavenner, 2013). The authors will discuss the many reasons that these individuals are unable to obtain adequate health care, and these barriers include poverty, homelessness, unemployment, immigration and lack of education and resources. The future of health care is discussed and the goals that the US Department of Health and Human Services have outlined through the Healthy People 2020 are also discussed. Ethics of Health Promotion: Access to Care IssuesWhile many people in this country have access to health care and its entities, more individuals do not. According to Pender, Murdaugh & Parsons (2011), the poverty levels in this country will continue to rise, meaning more disenfranchised people with limited access to health care. Immigration to the United States from other countries has increased over the years due to unlivable conditions and better opportunities. With this increasing migrant population, health care needs are at an all time high with many of these individuals living in poor conditions. We know that health is important for disease prevention and health promotion, though with a limited number of people in this country having access to these types of privileges, diseases will continue to worsen without treatment and the spread of disease and infection could pose a greater issue. With these vulnerable populations being granted access to health care and its entities, we can decrease the spread of disease processes and promote health futures for the individuals in this country.Importance of Health Care Access“Access to comprehensive, quality health care services is important for the achievement of health equity and for increasing the quality of a healthy life for everyone” (). Accessible health care not only provides education on disease prevention, but it also promotes the importance of early detection with health issues. Individuals unable to benefit from the same level of quality health care as the general population are at a greater risk for developing poor health outcomes, and also contribute to the financial burden on the current health care system.Vulnerable Populations and Barriers to AccessIn general, minority groups have a significantly lower income and in turn, these individuals have a higher risk for occupational hazards, unsafe neighborhoods, inadequate nutrition and insufficient health education (Pender, Murdaugh & Parsons 2011). Individuals encounter multiple barriers, which prevent them from obtaining quality health care and information, such as geographical factors, language, cost due to lack of insurance coverage and cultural differences.Baggett, O’Connell, Singer, and Rigotti (2010) report approximately 2.3 to 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness every year. Complicating these issues are high rates of mental illness, dental problems, and drug and alcohol abuse. Because these individuals’ basic needs are not being met, a high priority on things such as food and shelter take priority over meeting their health care needs.Schmalzried & Fallon (2012) estimate between one and two million migratory agricultural workers (MAWs), primarily from Mexico and Central America, move to the United States for fieldwork. Most of these works do not have health insurance, a permanent residence or a primary healthcare provider. Farming is known as a low paying, hazardous occupation and workers risk losing their jobs if they cannot meet crop demands (Schmalzried & Fallon, 2012). Additional difficulties include distance to and from their homes, little to no options for public transportation, provider office hours that are incompatible with their long work days, cost, language barriers, and the perception that healthcare providers are disrespectful (Schmalzried & Fallon, 2012). While difficulties exist for migrant workers, or those with low paying jobs, another problem that is growing is the consideration of these individuals’ children. Not only do many of these children not receive prompt or regular health care, many of these children do not receive immunizations and care at the recommended ages (Schmalzried & Fallon, 2012). Koh et al. (2011) report that about one third of the United States population is comprised of racial and ethnic minorities. More than half of the uninsured minorities have poor access to primary care. Pender, Murdaugh and Parsons. (2011) claim that racial and ethnic minorities have greater difficulty getting appointments, have longer wait times, typically mistrust the government and its programs and experience cultural insensitivities. Careful planning must occur in order to address these complex factors to offer health care to these vulnerable populations. Goal for ChangeThe Institute of Medicine identifies healthcare coverage as being essential to health and wellness (Koh & Tavenner, 2013). Slated to begin in 2014, the Affordable Care Act promises to offer quality, affordable coverage and access to millions, regardless of pre-existing conditions or socio-economic status.Nurses have both challenges and opportunities to contribute to the elimination of health disparities. While this will allow those who need to seek medical attention to be treated, it will also create a greater number of patients being seen and treated at facilities for more complex, chronic diseases that have gone far too long without treatment.Emerging IssuesDespite the influx of funding from the Affordable Care Act, the stability of the budget remains uncertain (Koh, Graham & Glied, 2011). Healthy People 2020 (2013) initiative acknowledges the fact that our health care system is already strained. An estimated 32 million Americans will have health insurance next year for the first time. At this time, experts disagree on how the plan for health care reform will actually be funded. While some individuals will maintain an overall reduction in health care spending, others are certain it will inflate the deficit.ConclusionWhile the future of health care in this country looks promising, there is still a large amount of individuals who are not receiving proper health care and obtaining the correct treatment for their disease. Until our government can gain access for our vulnerable populations to acquire health information and care, the number of patients with worsening chronic diseases and the previous lack of health promotion education will continue to decrease. Accessibility to health care and accurate, informed education are key components of treating and preventing disease processes. With vulnerable populations not having access to much of this care and information, these individuals are at a much greater risk for developing life threatening illnesses and not getting proper care for their children. Until we can figure out a way to gain access to health care in our country, we will continue to see higher numbers of disease processes and more people who are unable to seek out treatment.ReferencesBaggett, T. P., O’Connell, J. J., Singer, D. E., & Rigotti, N. A. (2010). The unmet health care needs of homeless adults: a national study. American Journal of Public Health, 100(7), 1326-1333.Koh, H. K., Graham, G., & Glied, S. A. (2011). Reducing racial and ethnic disparities: the action plan from the department of health and human services. Health Affairs, 30(10), 1822-1828. , H., & Tavenner, M. (2013). Connecting to health insurance coverage. Journal of the American Medical Association, 309(18), 1893-1894.Pender, N., Murdaugh, C., & Parsons, M. (2011). Health Promotion in Nursing Practice (6 ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.Schmalzried, H.D., Fallon, L. F. (2012). Reducing barriers associated with delivering health care services to migratory agricultural workers. Rural and Remote Health, 12(2088), 1-10. Retrieved from .au. ................
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