The following research paper will discuss the following topics of access to healthcare, preventive care, and utilization of services available to the population of the United States throughout their life span. Access to healthcare in the United States is an important topic being discussed in the medical arena today. Hospitals, clinics, and emergency centers are showing everywhere in the larger communities.
So what is the problem with access? It begins with the ability to pay (obtain insurance or the money to pay), physical access to the medical facilities, and the knowledge of what services are available. A new mother residing in a small community does not have public or private transportation to the newborn clinic that is over 15 miles away. …show more content…
Contributing factors to a longer life expectancy is having access to health care, preventative as well as consistent quality treatment for illnesses before they become disabling or life threatening (Kovner & Jonas, 2011). The United States leads the world in life expectancy after the age of eighty years only. This may be due to better access to high technology for those who can afford this type of care (Kovner & Jonas, 2011, p. 4). Many poor Americans have shorter life expectancies because they are unable to read. This may be due to a language barrier or they simply can not read. The lack of knowledge of good health practices or how to access the services available contributes to having minor problems that become chronic serious ones (Kovner & Jonas, 2011, p. 5). The ranking of the three factors (prevention, utilization, and access to health care) would be the same as previously stated for infant mortality. Prevention is of least importance if the patient does not utilize or have access to healthcare services. Health care insurance is not always available in adequate amounts to cover preventative or chronic care, especially medications. Newly retired adults may be forced to choose between buying food or paying rent over medications or expensive treatments not covered by insurance. They also may have to resort to using walk-in clinics in place of a primary care physician because of the nation wide decrease in the number of primary care physicians (Lee &
So what is the problem with access? It begins with the ability to pay (obtain insurance or the money to pay), physical access to the medical facilities, and the knowledge of what services are available. A new mother residing in a small community does not have public or private transportation to the newborn clinic that is over 15 miles away. …show more content…
Contributing factors to a longer life expectancy is having access to health care, preventative as well as consistent quality treatment for illnesses before they become disabling or life threatening (Kovner & Jonas, 2011). The United States leads the world in life expectancy after the age of eighty years only. This may be due to better access to high technology for those who can afford this type of care (Kovner & Jonas, 2011, p. 4). Many poor Americans have shorter life expectancies because they are unable to read. This may be due to a language barrier or they simply can not read. The lack of knowledge of good health practices or how to access the services available contributes to having minor problems that become chronic serious ones (Kovner & Jonas, 2011, p. 5). The ranking of the three factors (prevention, utilization, and access to health care) would be the same as previously stated for infant mortality. Prevention is of least importance if the patient does not utilize or have access to healthcare services. Health care insurance is not always available in adequate amounts to cover preventative or chronic care, especially medications. Newly retired adults may be forced to choose between buying food or paying rent over medications or expensive treatments not covered by insurance. They also may have to resort to using walk-in clinics in place of a primary care physician because of the nation wide decrease in the number of primary care physicians (Lee &