NHS FPX 4000 Assessment 4 Analyzing a Current Health Care Problem or Issue

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Capella university

NHS FPX 4000 Developing a Health Care Perspective

Prof. Name

Date

Analyze a Current Health Care Problem or Issue

Differences in health outcomes and service accessibility between various populations characterize healthcare disparities. It is influenced by social, economic, and environmental factors such as gender, race, education level, and income (Cullen et al., 2022). Approximately 1.7 million Hispanic individuals in the United States (US) lost healthcare coverage, highlighting healthcare disparities (Lopez et al., 2021). This evaluation explores the complex domain of healthcare disparities, aiming to understand their root causes and consequences. It examines the varied challenges of healthcare disparities and potential solutions within healthcare settings.

Elements of The Problem

Healthcare disparities present a complex issue with various underlying factors. Unequal access to healthcare services is a significant aspect, affecting disregarded groups based on race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Healthcare disparities arise from various aspects, such as insufficient insurance, restricted approach to treatment resources, and conveyance issues. These barriers affect racial minorities and low-income individuals, exacerbating disparities in healthcare access and outcomes (Minas et al., 2020). Language barriers, cultural differences, and low health literacy worsen health discrimination in underserved communities. Marginalized groups face health challenges, including higher disease rates and shorter life expectancies, reinforcing systemic inequities within the healthcare framework (Wang et al., 2022). 

Minority groups often receive inferior care compared to the majority, even after adjusting for insurance and income levels. This persistent disparity underscores systemic issues within the healthcare system that must be addressed to ensure equitable access and treatment for all individuals (Ritter et al., 2020). Discrepancies in treatment quality contribute substantially to healthcare disparities. Racial and ethnic minorities face elevated rates of diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, coupled with shorter life expectancies (Ritter et al., 2020).

Significant challenges in healthcare disparities are caused by unequal access from racial, ethnic, and geographic factors. This causes untreated illnesses and delayed diagnoses in some populations. Moreover, these disparities are made worse by biases in healthcare systems and financial barriers like excessive costs and inadequate insurance (Thompson, 2024). Healthcare systems are under pressure, which hinders the advancement of equitable healthcare outcomes and universal health coverage. Healthcare disparities present significant risks, including unequal access to services and variations in treatment quality. These disparities among underserved communities exacerbate social inequalities and hinder efforts toward equitable healthcare (Minas et al., 2020).

Reasons 

Scholarly articles emphasize healthcare disparities, attributing socioeconomic factors and systemic injustices to unequal access to care. Minas et al. (2020) explained several key factors contributing to healthcare disparities. Firstly, the research underscores systemic inequalities within the healthcare system, highlighting unequal access to health facilities based on ethnic group and social status. This disparity is exacerbated by barriers such as insufficient insurance, partial access to medical services, and transport problems affecting cultural subgroups. Moreover, Ritter et al. (2020) state that disparities in treatment quality, despite adjustments for insurance and income levels, highlight implicit biases within healthcare systems.

Thompson (2024) emphasizes that significant challenges in healthcare disparities stem from unequal access due to racial, ethnic, and geographic factors, resulting in untreated illnesses, delayed diagnoses, and exacerbation by biases and financial barriers. These articles are published in reputable, peer-reviewed journals, offering thorough analyses of diverse aspects of healthcare disparities. They particularly emphasize understanding the intricacies and impacts of these disparities on different populations. Additionally, the elevated rates of chronic diseases and shorter life expectancies between ethnic and traditional elements further underscore the impact of socioeconomic factors and environmental access on well-being (Wang et al., 2022). These articles offer crucial insights into the multifaceted origins of healthcare disparities and efforts to mitigate systemic inequalities and enhance equitable access to healthcare.

Analysis of The Problem

Healthcare disparities, defined as demographic variations in accessing healthcare, highlight systemic inequities and demand targeted interventions. A key element of healthcare disparities is socioeconomic status. Communities like low-income and minorities face problems such as insufficient insurance coverage, transportation restrictions, and financial constraints (Hwang et al., 2022). Healthcare disparities persist among Hispanic individuals and African American individuals, exposing unsatisfactory approaches to services and inferior treatment facilities (Lopez et al., 2021).

Discrimination and biases in healthcare systems contribute to discrepancy treatment based on race, ethnicity, or gender. Geographical location is another significant factor. Healthcare facilities and providers are limited in rural areas, restricting residents’ access to healthcare services. Cultural and language barriers delay effective communication between patients and healthcare providers, impacting care quality and health outcomes (Hwang et al., 2022).

NHS FPX 4000 Assessment 4 Analyzing a Current Health Care Problem or Issue

Health education and awareness gaps exacerbate disparities. Individuals with lower health literacy struggle to navigate healthcare systems, comprehend medical data, and make up-to-date choices about their well-being (Schillinger, 2021). Colorectal cancer ranks third in both cancer incidence and mortality in the US. Projections for 2019 anticipate about 145,700 new cases and 51,200 deaths. Survival rates have risen to approximately 65%, yet colorectal cancer remains a financial burden, with annual costs exceeding $17.2 billion. It creates health disparities, particularly impacting racial and ethnic minority groups (Tramontano et al., 2020). 

Analysis of health disparities now acknowledges the pivotal role of environmental factors such as pollution and neighborhood safety. These insights underscore the complex interplay between social, economic, and ecological elements. For instance, marginalized communities face elevated pollution levels, amplifying respiratory health risks, while unsafe neighborhoods compound physical health disparities (Peterson & Keswani, 2023). 

Potential Solutions

Healthcare disparities require a comprehensive strategy that targets their root causes and ensures equitable access to quality healthcare regardless of background. One potential solution involves implementing policies to break down barriers to medical facilities, such as increasing Medicaid coverage and financial aid for societies. (Donohue et al., 2022). For instance, implementing Medicaid expansion nationwide is critical in providing vital support for low-income individuals facing significant healthcare access barriers. Policy measures should promote culturally competent care and address unreserved biases established within healthcare systems (Mbunge et al., 2022).

Social efforts aimed at addressing health determinants are equally crucial. Improving access to education, affordable housing, and healthy food helps alleviate socioeconomic disparities and improve community health outcomes. As part of the effort to enhance health equity, healthcare providers receive training on the diverse needs of patients. It mitigates biases and promotes inclusivity in healthcare delivery (Mbunge et al., 2022).

NHS FPX 4000 Assessment 4 Analyzing a Current Health Care Problem or Issue

Community engagement is another critical aspect. Collaborating with community leaders and organizations allows for the identification of specific healthcare needs and barriers within underserved communities. Adapting interventions that are culturally sensitive and responsive to local nuances enhances their effectiveness and impact (Wong et al., 2020). About 2000 mobile clinics in the US serve 6.7 million people annually, offering to underserved communities lacking access to traditional healthcare facilities. Mobile clinics benefit racial and ethnic minorities, the homeless, recent immigrants, and low-income individuals (Sritart et al., 2021).

Lastly, telemedicine addresses healthcare disparities by offering remote access to medical consultations and services to individuals in underserved or remote areas. Patients connect with healthcare providers through telemedicine platforms and receive diagnoses, prescriptions, and ongoing management. It enhances access to care, reduces costs, and diminishes disparities in healthcare access and outcomes (Wong et al., 2020). 

Ignoring healthcare disparities has profound consequences. It prolongs social inequalities and worsens preventable health disparities and health outcomes of marginalized populations. This persistence of poor health and poverty results in raised medical expenditures decreased efficiency, and a lower standard of life for individuals and communities (Cheng et al., 2023). Overlooking healthcare disparities increased rates of preventable illnesses, higher healthcare expenditures, and diminished quality of life. It significantly impacts the broader community’s health, weakens public health efforts, and exacerbates societal inequalities. Therefore, prioritizing efforts to address healthcare disparities is essential for advancing health equity, fostering social justice, and building a fairer society (Cheng et al., 2023).

Implementation of Ethical Solutions

Addressing healthcare disparities requires a thorough evaluation of ethical principles to align with the legal obligations of medical professionals. Beneficence emphasizes interventions that benefit individuals and communities, ensuring equitable allocation of healthcare resources. Autonomy empowers individuals to make informed healthcare decisions, irrespective of their circumstances. For instance, providing health equity training for healthcare providers exemplifies beneficence by enhancing care quality for underserved populations. (Walk et al., 2022).  

Respect for autonomy is evident in telemedicine platforms facilitating convenient healthcare access for remote patients. Justice ensures fair distribution of healthcare services, addressing marginalized groups’ needs and promoting equitable access and outcomes (Peterson & Keswani, 2023). Justice is maintained through policies allocating resources to tackle social determinants of health, ensuring vulnerable communities receive the necessary support for optimal health outcomes. Ethical principles guide interventions to bridge healthcare disparities and ensure fair access and treatment. Training healthcare providers and implementing telemedicine platforms demonstrate beneficence and autonomy, while justice is upheld through policies addressing social determinants of health (Walk et al., 2022).

Ensuring non-maleficence involves thorough assessments and proactive corrective actions to address potential health disparities. Healthcare organizations demonstrate this by identifying and rectifying compliance deficiencies, reducing the risk of harm associated with inequalities (Tolchin et al., 2020). For instance, implementing a robust risk management framework helps prevent adverse outcomes. Collaboration with stakeholders and sharing intelligence promotes justice by ensuring equal access to healthcare resources and knowledge. This collaborative approach fosters fairness and equity, regardless of organizational size or resources, across the healthcare sector (Tolchin et al., 2020).

Conclusion

Healthcare disparities, influenced by social, economic, and environmental factors, pose risks to public health. They worsen health inequalities and limit access to care. Implementing policies, social initiatives, and telemedicine solutions can help address these disparities, promote health equity and social justice, and improve health outcomes for all.

References

Cheng, T. L., Unaka, N. I., & Nichols, D. (2023). Crossing the quality chasm and the ignored pillar of health care equity. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 70(4), 855–861. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2023.03.013

Cullen, M. R., Lemeshow, A. R., Russo, L. J., Barnes, D. M., Ababio, Y., & Habtezion, A. (2022). Disease-specific health disparities: A targeted review focusing on race and ethnicity. Healthcare, 10(4), 603. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10040603

Donohue, J. M., Cole, E. S., James, C. V., Jarlenski, M., Michener, J. D., & Roberts, E. T. (2022). The US medicaid program: Coverage, financing, reforms, and implications for health equity. JAMA, 328(11), 1085–1099. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2022.14791

Hwang, E. H., Guo, X., Tan, Y., & Dang, Y. (2022). Delivering healthcare through teleconsultations: Implications for offline healthcare disparity. Information Systems Research, 515–539. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2021.1055

Lopez, L., Hart, L. H., & Katz, M. H. (2021). Racial and ethnic health disparities related to COVID-19. JAMA, 325(8), 719–720. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.26443

Mbunge, E., Muchemwa, B., & Batani, J. (2022). Are we there yet? Unbundling the potential adoption and integration of telemedicine to improve virtual healthcare services in African health systems. Sensors International, 3, 100152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100152

Minas, Z., Kiely, M., Ajao, A., & Ambs, S. (2020). An overview of cancer health disparities: New approaches and insights and why they matter. Carcinogenesis, 42(1), 2–13. https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/bgaa121

Peterson, R., & Keswani, A. (2023). The impact of social determinants and air pollution on healthcare disparities in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy, 37(2), 147–152. https://doi.org/10.1177/19458924231153483

Ritter, R., Jong, M., Vos, R. C., Kallen, C. J. H., Sep, S. J. S., Woodward, M., Stehouwer, C. D. A., Bots, M. L., & Peters, S. A. E. (2020). Sex differences in the risk of vascular disease associated with diabetes. Biology of Sex Differences, 11(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13293-019-0277-z

Schillinger, D. (2021). Social determinants, health literacy, and disparities: Intersections and controversies. HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice, 5(3). e234–e243 https://doi.org/10.3928/24748307-20210712-01

Sritart, H., Tuntiwong, K., Miyazaki, H., & Taertulakarn, S. (2021). Disparities in healthcare services and spatial assessments of mobile health clinics in the border regions of Thailand. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(20), 10782. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010782

Thompson, J. T. (2024). What factors lead to disparities in healthcare and healthcare providers, and what should be done to address them? Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases. 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/24741264241246585

Tolchin, B., Hull, S. C., & Kraschel, K. (2020). Triage and justice in an unjust pandemic: Ethical allocation of scarce medical resources in the setting of racial and socioeconomic disparities. Journal of Medical Ethics, 47(3). https://doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2020-106457

Tramontano, A. C., Chen, Y., Watson, T. R., Eckel, A., Hur, C., & Kong, C. Y. (2020). Racial/ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer treatment utilization and phase-specific costs, 2000-2014. PLOS ONE, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231599

Walk, O. J., Nieva, H., Lee, S. S.-J., & Elhadad, N. (2022). A scoping review of ethics considerations in clinical natural language processing. JAMIA Open, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.1093/jamiaopen/ooac039

Wang, H., Hua, X., Yao, N., Zhang, N., Wang, J., Anderson, R., & Sun, X. (2022). The urban-rural disparities and associated factors of health care utilization among cancer patients in China. Frontiers in Public Health, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.842837

NHS FPX 4000 Assessment 4 Analyzing a Current Health Care Problem or Issue

Wong, K., Stafylis, C., & Klausner, J. D. (2020). Telemedicine: A solution to disparities in human immunodeficiency virus prevention and pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake, and a framework to scalability and equity. MHealth, 6, 21–21. https://doi.org/10.21037/mhealth.2019.12.06