Introduction
Health disparities are variances in health outcomes that exist between different groups of people. The disparities can be as a result of several factors, including socioeconomic status, and access to Health Care. In addition, health disparities can lead to a variety of negative outcomes, including higher rates of mortality and morbidity, as well as reduced quality of life. Therefore, achieving health equity in urban centers requires addressing the social determinants of health that contribute to health disparities and they lie under different aspects.
Urban Health Disparities
There are many reasons why health disparities should remain a national to local priority. One of the reasons is that the cost of health care for racial and ethnic minorities is higher than for non-minorities. Therefore, that disparity can lead to worse health outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities if not addressed. Furthermore, social determinants of health can contribute to health disparities since they affect people’s ability to access quality healthcare, healthy food, and safe housing (Rose, 2020). For example, people who live in poverty are more likely to experience chronic health problems such as obesity, and diabetes.
Many factors contribute to urban health disparities, and some of the most significant are:
- Lack of access to quality healthcare – This happens when residents may have to travel long distances to see a doctor or may not have insurance coverage.
- Poverty – This can lead to poor nutrition and housing, and can also increase stress levels.
- Crime – Crime rates can lead to violence and property damage.
Based on the State where I currently live, disparities are demonstrated through:
- Lack of access to healthcare: This is as a result of lack of insurance and transportation, and limited availability of healthcare providers.
- High rates of chronic disease: This is a result of poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and exposure to environmental toxins.
- High rates of violence: This is due to issues such as poverty, gang activity, and drug use.
Conclusion
There are significant health disparities between urban and rural areas in the United States. Urban areas have higher rates of chronic diseases, mental health problems, and substance abuse than rural areas. Several factors contribute to these disparities such as the lack of access to healthcare in urban areas. Additionally, conditions such as poverty, crime, and violence are all more common in urban areas, which can lead to poor health.
Reference
Rose, P. R. (2020). Health equity, diversity, and inclusion: Context, controversies, and solutions (2nd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.