Health Equity

As an advanced practice nurse, it is crucial to address the underlying cause of social determinants of health (SDOH) that impact a population's health outcomes. These SDOHs are often linked to government policies and regulations. To achieve health equity for a population, advanced practice nurses understand the significance of addressing the root cause of poor health outcomes. Once you acknowledge the connection between health inequities and SDOH, the next step is to determine the root cause driving the existence of these determinants. SDOH are not natural factors leading to poor health outcomes but rather the results of intentional or unintentional policies. The decisions made by policymakers and their consequences shape and contribute to the ongoing health inequities and differences. Select a health inequity that is associated with a specific vulnerable population within your community, state, or region. Research the health inequity impacting your selected population and focus on existing policies or regulations that may be contributing to the problem. For example, a high rate of uninsured residents in a state could be due to a state’s refusal to accept the Medicaid expansion that is part of the Affordable Care Act. In other words, the state’s governing body has made it a policy to refuse the expansion that would have provided most people in the state with access to medical insurance. The result is continued poor health outcomes among the uninsured who do not receive basic preventable care. Another example is a government policy that ties public school funding to the tax base of the area the school district covers. This means that schools in low-income communities will be underfunded while schools in more affluent areas will benefit from the wealthier tax base. As a result, kids in low-income districts will face overcrowded classrooms, few resources, severely scaled-back extracurricular programs, teacher shortages, etc. As stated in earlier weeks, the quality of education is an SDOH affecting the population’s health. Write a 1,050- to 1,250-word paper that includes: o An overview of the vulnerable population and the health concern o Include data to support the existence of the vulnerable population. o Provide a granular description of the population, including a comprehensive picture of the environment they inhabit. o A detailed description with supporting evidence and data of the SDOH involved in the selected population’s health concern o Identification and description of at least 1policy that is contributing to the existence of the health inequity o Full analysis of the policy’s contribution to the inequity o Background or history of the policy o Evidence and data that establish the link between the policy and the health outcomes o Advocacy plan to address the disparity

Sample Solution

Health Inequity: Lack of Access to Healthcare for Low-Income Populations

Introduction

Lack of access to healthcare is a major health inequity that impacts low-income populations. This inequity is rooted in a number of social determinants of health (SDOHs), including poverty, lack of insurance, and geographic barriers. Government policies and regulations can play a role in exacerbating or mitigating this inequity.

Full Answer Section

This paper will examine the health inequity of lack of access to healthcare for low-income populations in the United States. It will discuss the SDOHs involved, identify one government policy that is contributing to the inequity, and propose an advocacy plan to address the disparity.

Overview of the Vulnerable Population and the Health Concern

Low-income populations are disproportionately likely to lack access to healthcare. In 2021, 12.2% of nonelderly adults in the United States were uninsured, but this rate was 22.7% for adults below the federal poverty level (FPL). Low-income individuals are also more likely to face geographic barriers to care, such as living in rural areas or areas with a shortage of healthcare providers.

Lack of access to healthcare can have a significant impact on health outcomes. Low-income individuals are more likely to have chronic health conditions, and they are less likely to receive preventive care. This can lead to worse health outcomes and higher healthcare costs down the road.

Data to Support the Existence of the Vulnerable Population

The following data support the existence of the vulnerable population of low-income individuals who lack access to healthcare:

In 2021, 12.2% of nonelderly adults in the United States were uninsured, but this rate was 22.7% for adults below the federal poverty level (FPL).
Low-income individuals are also more likely to face geographic barriers to care, such as living in rural areas or areas with a shortage of healthcare providers.
Low-income individuals are more likely to have chronic health conditions, and they are less likely to receive preventive care.

Granular Description of the Population and the Environment They Inhabit

Low-income populations in the United States are diverse, but they share some common characteristics. They are more likely to live in urban areas, to be racial or ethnic minorities, and to have less education than higher-income populations. Low-income individuals are also more likely to be employed in low-wage jobs with poor benefits.

The environments that low-income individuals inhabit often lack access to healthy food, safe housing, and quality education. These factors can contribute to poor health outcomes.

SDOH Involved in the Selected Population's Health Concern

A number of SDOHs are involved in the lack of access to healthcare for low-income populations. These include:

Poverty: Low-income individuals may have difficulty affording healthcare costs, even if they have insurance.
Lack of insurance: Low-income individuals may be ineligible for public health insurance programs, or they may not be able to afford the premiums and copays associated with private insurance.
Geographic barriers: Low-income individuals may live in rural areas or areas with a shortage of healthcare providers.
Language barriers: Low-income individuals may not speak English fluently, which can make it difficult to access healthcare services.
Transportation barriers: Low-income individuals may not have reliable transportation to and from healthcare appointments.

Policy Contributing to the Existence of the Health Inequity

One government policy that is contributing to the lack of access to healthcare for low-income populations is the lack of Medicaid expansion in some states. Medicaid is a joint federal-state health insurance program for low-income individuals and families. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) made Medicaid expansion available to all states, but 12 states have not expanded Medicaid.

As a result of the lack of Medicaid expansion, millions of low-income individuals are ineligible for public health insurance. This means that they must purchase private health insurance, which can be very expensive. Many low-income individuals are unable to afford private insurance, and they go uninsured as a result.

Analysis of the Policy's Contribution to the Inequity

The lack of Medicaid expansion is contributing to the lack of access to healthcare for low-income populations in a number of ways. First, it is making it more difficult for low-income individuals to qualify for public health insurance. Second, it is making private health insurance more expensive for low-income individuals, making it less affordable. Third, it is contributing to the shortage of healthcare providers in some areas, as providers are less likely to practice in areas where there are a large number of uninsured patients.

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