Question

Define health care disparities. Where and how do they exist? Identify at least three contributing factors. How could we change this? Make sure to use a reference to support your response.

Answer 1

HEALTH CARE DISPARITY:-
- It refers to the variation in rates of disease occurrence and disabilities between socioeconomically and geographically defined population groups.
- It is the population specific differences in the presence of disease or access to healthcare.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:-
(i) Social factors:-
poverty
education status
race and ethnicity
gender etc.
(ii) development of illness
(iii) ability to obtain and utilize healthcare
(iv)healthcare outcomes.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES:-
-Develop a strategic focus on communities which are at greatest risk.
-maintain quality health care.
-Increase the capacity of the prevention department to identify disparities.
-support and evaluate research to identify effective strategies to eliminate disparities.