“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is
the most shocking and inhumane.”
the most shocking and inhumane.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"Powerful, complex relationships exist between health and biology, genetics, and individual behavior, and between health and health services, socioeconomic status, the physical environment, discrimination, racism, literacy levels, and legislative policies. These factors, which influence an individual’s or population’s health, are known as determinants of health." - HealthyPeople.gov
Since this week we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday we thought it fitting to include his viewpoints on health care inequality. What kind of progress have we made?
We invite you to reflect upon the following article:
We invite you to reflect upon the following article:
Viewpoint: Ending health care inequality a part of Rev. Martin Luther King’s dream
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/01/viewpoint_12.html
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/01/viewpoint_12.html
We welcome your comments:
- What are some specific ideas you have for addressing health care disparities?
- What do you see as the role of occupational therapy in promoting health care affordability?
Health care disparities continues to be a reality for our nation. With the rising cost of healthcare and our current economic status many groups of people can not afford quality health care. This is especially evident when looking at the status of E.R.'s within hospitals that are being used, instead of for traumas, but for flue check-ups and common colds. People cant afford to go to the doctor. The best I idea I have for influencing a change in these health disparities is to promote healthy living in effort to decrease the many diseases caused by unhealthy lifestyles. I believe O.T.s have a great potential in helping to influence such change within communities.
ReplyDeleteI believe that occupational therapist must take it upon themselves to be responsible for attending national, state, and city meeting regarding healthcare. Our voices must be heard for our concern with rising costs of healthcare. All to many times we can not provide services due to our clients inability to pay. We need to advocate for change, in a big way.