The percentage of the United States population that is underserved by healthcare varies depending on the definition and criteria used to determine "underserved”. Here are a few statistics, however, that evidence a material healthcare disparity problem in our country:
· According to the National Association of Community Health Centers, over 30 million Americans live in areas where there are not enough primary care providers to meet the needs of the population.
· The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that as of 2019, 27.9 million non-elderly Americans were uninsured, which can be a significant barrier to accessing healthcare.
· During the COVID-19 pandemic many lower-income communities experienced higher rates of infection and mortality due to factors such as poverty, race, and geographic location.
Overall, it is clear that there are significant gaps in healthcare access and coverage in the United States, with many poorer individuals and communities facing barriers to receiving the care they need. Socio-economic obstacles can create significant challenges for poorer communities in accessing adequate healthcare, leading to disparities in health outcomes and quality of life. These barriers include:
· Lack of Health Insurance – People who are uninsured or underinsured face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, as they may not be able to afford the cost of medical care, prescription drugs, or other health services.
· Limited Access to Healthcare Facilities – Poorer communities often lack adequate healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, and medical centers, which may be located far from their homes or workplaces. This can make it difficult for people to seek out preventive care or receive timely medical treatment when they need it.
· Transportation – Lack of transportation can be a significant barrier to healthcare access, particularly for people who live in rural areas or who don't have access to a car. This can make it difficult for people to get to medical appointments or to pick up prescription medications.
· Language and Cultural Barriers – For people who do not speak English as their primary language or who come from different cultural backgrounds, accessing healthcare can be challenging. Language barriers can make it difficult for people to communicate their symptoms or understand medical instructions, while cultural differences may make some people reluctant to seek out medical care.
· Cost of Care – Even for people who have health insurance, out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance can be prohibitively expensive, preventing them from seeking necessary medical care.
· Discrimination – Poorer communities may also face discrimination or bias from healthcare providers, which can make them reluctant to seek out care or feel unwelcome in healthcare settings.
In a country that is the richest in the world in terms of economic wealth, might and has the best overall healthcare system in the world, there is still a need to do better. There are many statistics that demonstrate a link between income and health outcomes in the United State, which suggest that richer people tend to have better healthcare outcomes compared to poorer people. Here are a few examples:
· Life Expectancy – According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the life expectancy for people in the United States increases as income levels rise. In 2018, the life expectancy for people earning less than $25,000 a year was 76.1 years, compared to 81.2 years for people earning $75,000 or more.
· Chronic Disease – People with lower incomes are more likely to have chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. For example, the CDC reports that in 2018, the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes was 17.9% among adults earning less than $25,000 a year, compared to 7.2% among those earning $75,000 or more.
· Access to Care – People with lower incomes may face barriers to accessing healthcare, such as lack of health insurance or difficulty affording copays and deductibles. As a result, they may delay seeking medical care or not receive recommended preventive care such as cancer screenings, which can lead to poorer health outcomes.
· Infant Mortality – Infants born to mothers with lower incomes are more likely to die within the first year of life compared to infants born to mothers with higher incomes. According to the CDC, the infant mortality rate for mothers with less than a high school education was 6.9 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018, compared to 3.7 deaths per 1,000 live births for mothers with a college degree or higher.
Overall, these statistics and others demonstrate the significant impact that income and socioeconomic status can have on health outcomes, highlighting the need to address health disparities and improve healthcare access for all. While the United States is a wealthy and technologically advanced country, there are several reasons why many people lack access to adequate healthcare:
· Healthcare is Not a Universal Right – Unlike many other developed countries, the United States does not have a universal healthcare system that guarantees healthcare access to all citizens. This means that people who cannot afford healthcare or who lack health insurance may not be able to access adequate healthcare services.
· High Healthcare Costs – Healthcare costs in the United States are among the highest in the world, which can make it difficult for many people to access healthcare services. Even for those who have health insurance, out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles and copays can be prohibitively expensive, preventing people from accessing necessary medical care.
· Inadequate Insurance Coverage – Even for people who have health insurance, coverage may not be adequate to meet their healthcare needs. Insurance plans may have high deductibles or limited coverage for certain services, which can make it difficult for people to access the care they need.
· Limited Access to Healthcare Providers – Many people, particularly those in rural areas or underserved communities, may not have easy access to healthcare providers such as doctors and hospitals. This can make it difficult for people to seek out preventive care or receive timely medical treatment when they need it.
Overall, these factors and others contribute to the lack of access to adequate healthcare in the United States for a portion of our population, highlighting the need for reforms to improve healthcare access and affordability for all.