Health Equity as Self-Care

April is Minority Health Awareness Month! It is the time designated to highlight the issues related to health care and minority populations. The focus is on healthcare disparities within marginalized populations. More specifically, for black and brown patients compared to our white counterparts, as well as members of the LGTBQ+ family. Healthcare disparities are the byproduct of centuries of systemic racism in this country and bias. Disparities within the healthcare sector result in inadequate access to healthcare services and those who provide care with poorer outcomes for patients of color. The impact of healthcare disparities stretches throughout communities with financial implications and even affects productivity within the workforce. When healthcare is not equitable, it results in worse outcomes with higher morbidity and mortality. Many factors perpetuate healthcare disparities, and they are considered social determinants of health. Here are a few examples.

Did you know that where you live plays a role in your overall health? Are you aware that your zip code has a high predictive value of your life expectancy? Have you ever considered how living in a community without access to clean drinking water, clean air, or fresh fruits and vegetables impacts your health? Every day there are millions of Americans living in these types of communities. These are not remote areas of the country. Many live in or near major US cities. Many of these communities are home to people of color.

The type of work you do can also be a strong determinant of health. If you perform industrial work with exposure to chemicals, this can have far-reaching implications on your health. These patients are at higher risk of cancer and chronic lung disease. They often are underinsured or uninsured without preventive care services. When they present to healthcare settings, they do so with advanced disease.

It is not enough to be insured. You also need access to the system. Access can be related to physically getting to the physician’s office or having approved time off. The insured worker without job flexibility who cannot make their doctor’s office hours to receive regular preventative care, is just as much risk as the person without insurance. Additionally, many people live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford to be uncompensated for several hours while they tend to their medical needs. These are problems related to assessment.

The goal is health equity. We should all want healthcare that is accessible, affordable, and fair. I will continue to shine a light on these issues through my platform. Equitable healthcare should exist for all, regardless of race, class, or sexual orientation. Let’s keep the conversation going.

Here’s to your health!