Health Disparities In America

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), health disparities refers to a population-specific difference in the presence of disease, health outcomes, quality of health care and access to health care services—that exist across racial and ethnic groups (NCSL,2011). Health disparities remain a major concern in America and it is like a virus that is damaging the progress towards healthcare equality. Some of the major factors are unequal social class, unequal economic opportunity and poor physical and environmental conditions. Furthermore, gender, sexuality, ethnicity and geographical locations also play a role in health disparities.

Many of the people impacted by health disparities are minorities who represent 34.5% of the U.S population according to the 2010 U.S Census Bureau estimate. Despite the high population of minorities, some minority groups like Blacks American, American Indians and Alaska Natives had been reported to have poor health outcomes due to the health barriers and biases (Artiga, 2016). Blacks, American Indians and Alaska Natives have a higher prevalence of asthma, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease than the general population of people with these conditions.

Furthermore, there are higher rates of HIV and AIDS and infant mortality within the black community.

In regards to the gender factor in health disparities, we see both genders being treated unfairly. Since the struggle for women rights in America, we have successfully seen a decrease in income gap between men and women. Everyone has some protected rights under the law despite their gender. However, women have not fully been granted autonomy over their body and their healthcare choices. About fifty percent of female adolescents in America do not have autonomy under the law to access reproductive healthcare services that address and prevent some of the negative consequences associated with adolescents (Gretchen,

2010).
In addition, some states had made it illegal for women to have an abortion and have threatened to cut funds to organizations that support women health and healthcare choices. Furthermore, when it comes to income and someone sexuality or the gender they identify with, it is being reported that low-income individuals experience more barriers to care and receive poorer quality care than high-income individuals. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals are also more likely to experience challenges to obtain care than heterosexuals (Artiga, 2016). People who also live in rural areas may not have access to quality healthcare service(s) compare to urban areas. In poorer communities, we may see more fast food restaurants and liquor stores than supermarkets or health clinics.
It is important that these issues be addressed and solutions presented to achieve a society where access to quality care is unbiased and equal. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has provisions that focus on health disparities in, which health care coverage was expanded and funding provided to community health agencies to fight health disparities. The ACA also aimed at promoting workforce diversity and cultural competence, increasing funding for health care professional and cultural competence training and education materials, and strengthens data collection and research efforts. The ACA includes prevention and public health initiatives, educational campaign with an emphasis on racial and ethnic disparities, and permanently reauthorizes the Indian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization Extension Act of 2009 (Artiga, 2016).
In brief, a balance society is imperative to overcoming health disparities. Educating health care professionals on building trust with patients, providing unbiased services and creating equal access regardless of gender, race or social class would help eliminate health disparities