This assignment aims to bring greater awareness to health inequities/health disparities in our community and our country so that we can provide the best care and advocate for our patients.
The term health inequality generically refers to differences in the health of individuals or groups. Any measurable aspect of health that varies across individuals or according to socially relevant groupings can be called a health inequality. Absent from the definition of health inequality is any moral judgment on whether observed differences are fair or just. In contrast, a health inequity, or health disparity, is a specific type of health inequality that denotes an unjust difference in health. By one common definition, when health differences are preventable and unnecessary, allowing them to persist is unjust. In this sense, health inequities are systematic differences in health that could be avoided by reasonable means. In general, social group differences in health, such as those based on race or religion, are considered health inequities because they reflect an unfair distribution of health risks and resources. The key distinction between the terms inequality and inequity is that the former is simply a dimensional descriiption employed whenever quantities are unequal, while the latter requires passing a moral judgment that the inequality is wrong. The term health inequality can describe racial/ethnic disparities in US infant mortality rates, which are nearly three times higher for non-Hispanic blacks versus whites, as well as the fact that people in their 20s enjoy better health than those in their 60s. Of these two examples, only the difference in infant mortality would also be considered a health inequity. Health differences between those in their 20s versus 60s can be considered health inequalities but not health inequities. Health differences based on age are largely unavoidable, and it is difficult to argue that the health differences between younger and older people are unjust, since older people were once younger people and younger people, with some luck, will someday become old. (Arcaya et al., 2015)
References:
Arcaya, M. C., Arcaya, A. L., & Subramanian, S. V. (2015). Inequalities in health: Definitions, concepts, and theories. Global Health Action, 8(1), 27106. https://doi.org/10.3402/gha.v8.27106
We, as nurses, are charged with providing excellent nursing care, including delivering culturally competent care to diverse populations and advocating for those under our care. To provide culturally competent care, we must be aware of health equity and its meaning.
In this assignment, first reflect on your previous experiences, your clinical experience, your own personal experiences, process recordings, reflections, simulations, and group presentations. You may have seen areas that made you aware of health disparity or cultural norms that differed from yours. This can help guide you to determine what diverse group to write about.
Using appropriate references, you will illustrate and support why the diverse group has health inequity. Consider what the group is facing and how that could create a lack of fairness or justice.
Using personal experiences, real-life examples, facts, and theories to show how the inequity is related to healthcare. What examples have you seen in clinical to support this? What does the literature say? What has occurred in your own life and what have you observed that gives you a passion to advocate for individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations?
Next, determine what practices/resources or interventions are currently available to help decrease the health inequity. Be specific in your findings.
Reflect upon what interventions are not available and are needed for this diverse group. What could be done that isn’t being done to help lessen the inequity? How do you plan to implement this into your practice to help decrease the inequity?
This is a professional paper and you must also submit to digication.
It may be reviewed as part of the college evaluation of learning.
Your paper should be 1200 to 1500 words with a minimum of three references to support your topic using APA formatting.
The paper should be well organized and your points well supported through an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Utilize the grading rubric to guide your paper and ensure all sections are answered.
TOPIC-Healthcare disparities related to racism. Research the health disparities experienced by this group. What is the impact on their health and level of wellness? What are the Barriers and challenges of access and to the provision of healthcare? Strategies to improve. What can you as a nurse implement to help improve care and ultimately wellness in this group?