Disparities in healthcare are an all too common issue within America, in lieu of America being one of the most resource rich countries in the world. Considering that many other countries throughout the world provide its citizens with universal healthcare, America has chosen not do so. However, America is one of the only industrialized nations that do not provide universal healthcare to its citizens. This paper will discuss the causes of health care disparities as well as the many initiatives that have been employed to eliminate these disparities. Highlighted are the affects and results of these initiatives in an effort to determine their effectiveness. Lastly, I will provide possible additional measure that should be taken to further the
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According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (2011), “The Economic Burden of Health Inequalities in the United States, by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, concludes that “the combined costs of health inequalities and premature death in the United States were $1.24 trillion” between 2003 and 2006” (page, 2). Health disparity is not an issue that only affects the uninsured or the under insured. This is an issue that affects the entire American population because the burdens of healthcare inefficiencies and poor health outcomes are ultimately bore by the American people via increase taxes and higher insurance premiums. “Racial/ethnic minority Americans have lower rates of health insurance than whites largely because they are less likely to have employer-sponsored coverage” (Hoffman & Lillie-Blanton, 2005, page, …show more content…
According to Adler & Newman (2002), “The most fundamental causes of health disparities are socioeconomic disparities. Socioeconomic status has traditionally been defined by education, income, and occupation” (page, 3). Health disparities can be seen across the entire range of socioeconomic subcategories, with those at the lower end of the socioeconomic status table experiencing the greatest health disparities. Education and income is the greater of the socioeconomic indicators as it pertains to understanding the cause of health disparities (House & Williams, 2000). Adler & Newman (2002) wrote that income policies unique to those at low end of socioeconomic status table or those who live at or under the poverty line would realize the greatest health benefit as their health outcomes achieve better results.Higher incomes would provide individuals with the explicit capacity to reduce certain inequalities via their ability to pay. Although, the knowledge received from education would help drive not only better income decision it would also helps change behaviors towards
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (2011), “The Economic Burden of Health Inequalities in the United States, by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, concludes that “the combined costs of health inequalities and premature death in the United States were $1.24 trillion” between 2003 and 2006” (page, 2). Health disparity is not an issue that only affects the uninsured or the under insured. This is an issue that affects the entire American population because the burdens of healthcare inefficiencies and poor health outcomes are ultimately bore by the American people via increase taxes and higher insurance premiums. “Racial/ethnic minority Americans have lower rates of health insurance than whites largely because they are less likely to have employer-sponsored coverage” (Hoffman & Lillie-Blanton, 2005, page, …show more content…
According to Adler & Newman (2002), “The most fundamental causes of health disparities are socioeconomic disparities. Socioeconomic status has traditionally been defined by education, income, and occupation” (page, 3). Health disparities can be seen across the entire range of socioeconomic subcategories, with those at the lower end of the socioeconomic status table experiencing the greatest health disparities. Education and income is the greater of the socioeconomic indicators as it pertains to understanding the cause of health disparities (House & Williams, 2000). Adler & Newman (2002) wrote that income policies unique to those at low end of socioeconomic status table or those who live at or under the poverty line would realize the greatest health benefit as their health outcomes achieve better results.Higher incomes would provide individuals with the explicit capacity to reduce certain inequalities via their ability to pay. Although, the knowledge received from education would help drive not only better income decision it would also helps change behaviors towards