Assignment Question

Hi I need one reply to each comment, must include references, thank you Anne:Population health outcomes depend on several factors, including socioeconomic determinants of health, access to healthcare, and individual behavior. However, discrimination and barriers can also impact health outcomes, especially in some populations. We will discuss how biases and barriers impact population health outcomes in Orange County, Florida, in particular when it comes to measuring obesity, in this essay. Lack of healthcare access hinders quantifying obesity in Orange County, Florida. According to Islami et al. (2022), uninsured people in the US are less likely to obtain preventative treatment, such as obesity screening. Poor health outcomes may follow from this lack of access to healthcare, which can cause undetected obesity. Additionally, the absence of safe locations to exercise and the availability of healthy food alternatives may be a factor in the high obesity rates in Orange County, Florida. In many different ways, biases can affect population health outcomes. For instance, people from low-income regions may have less access to healthy food alternatives and secure exercise facilities, which might increase the prevalence of obesity. By restricting access to nutritious food alternatives and secure exercise facilities, prejudice can harm population health outcomes in Orange County, Florida. According to Ohri-Vachaspati et al. (2019), low-income communities featured fewer supermarkets and more fast-food restaurants than high-income neighborhoods, making it challenging for people to get healthy food alternatives. In conclusion, bias and barriers can influence population health outcomes in Orange County, FL, particularly when evaluating obesity rates. Individuals in Orange County, FL, may suffer from poor health outcomes due to poor access to healthcare, good dietary alternatives, and bias in obesity assessment. Overcoming these barriers and biases is critical to enhancing neighborhood population health outcomes. References Islami, F., Guerra, C. E., Minihan, A., Yabroff, K. R., Fedewa, S. A., Sloan, K., … & Jemal, A. (2022). American Cancer Society’s report on the status of cancer disparities in the United States, 2021. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 72(2), 112-143. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21703 Ohri-Vachaspati, P., DeWeese, R. S., Acciai, F., DeLia, D., Tulloch, D., Tong, D., Lorts, C., & Yedidia, M. (2019). Healthy food access in low-income high-minority communities: A longitudinal assessment-2009-2017. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(13), 2354. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16132354 Nicole: The year of 2020 really expressed to the world that there are explicit biases. Some were cheering healthcare workers and others were harming healthcare workers. Then the George Floyd incident proved that there is systemic racism in the world. This was an example of explicit bias on a national level. Implicit bias also occurs in the healthcare system and deeply affects patient-clinician communication and clinical decision making. Biases have also occurred in healthcare systems that affect admissions, promotions, bedside instruction as well as classroom instruction of clinicians (Vela et al., 2022). Although, this is not published, it is known that in our area, one hospital caters more toward minorities than the other hospital. I wonder, how could this affect patient outcomes? It does seem to create an implicit bias that is not quite so noticeable but relevant to those that are part of those effected by the bias. There are many people in the area that are very vocal about the bias felt at some local establishment. The people affected by the biases are vocal on social media, they are vocal in local establishments, they are vocal in the schools. Population According to the US Census Bureau, the population of Kankakee County is 106,074. 50% female, 50 % male, 18% over the age of 65, 23% 18 or under but older that 5 years of age. The county is 80.7 % white, 15.2% black or African American, 2.4% of other races, or two or more races (USCB, 2022). Because the housing market is lower in this area, many people are relocating from the city of Chicago. Therefore, some people who are not local by nature, have been more vocal about the bias. Barriers Some barriers in the county of Kankakee include lack of transportation. Recently in the last few years a public transportation bus system was created to eliminate this issue. Although it has, to some extent, the schedule is very far apart, making in not so convenient for those without transportation. There are maybe 3 uber drivers in the area and an ADA bus. However, the ADA bus will only pick up if there is a documented disability. Other barriers, include location of provider offices. Most are in the buildings of the two hospitals. The two hospitals are only a mile a part, but on the same side of town. Thus, making it difficult for some who are not near to that location. With the barriers of the location of the hospitals, limited public transportation options, and known biases at one of the hospitals, this could lead to many illnesses in Kankakee County. Many illness that could be prevented with care that is accessible and unbiased. Some barriers are being worked on, to be eliminated, but the county has not quite achieved this goal. I do believe, that the county as a whole is moving in the right direction. References Charlesworth, T., Maharin, B., (2019). Age and Generation Issues. Research: How Americans’ Biases Are Changing (or not) over time. Harvard Business Review. USCB. (2022). United States Census Bureau. Quickfacts Kankakee County, Illinois. Retrieved From. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/kankakeecountyillinois/PST045222 Vela, M. B., Erondu, A. I., Smith, N. A., Peek, M. E., Woodruff, J. N., & Chin, M. H. (2022). Eliminating Explicit and Implicit Biases in Health Care: Evidence and Research Needs. Annual review of public health, 43, 477–501. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-052620-103528

Answer

Reply to Anne

Thank you, Anne, for highlighting the significant impact of biases and barriers on population health outcomes in Orange County, Florida. Your essay provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by communities, particularly concerning obesity and access to healthcare. The reference to Islami et al. (2022) and Ohri-Vachaspati et al. (2019) adds credibility to your argument by citing recent research. It’s evident that addressing these biases and barriers is crucial for improving the health of the population.

Reply to Nicole

Nicole, your comment on the explicit and implicit biases that exist in healthcare and how these biases can affect patient outcomes is a critical point. The events of 2020 indeed shed light on the need to address systemic racism and biases in various sectors, including healthcare. Your personal observation about the differences between hospitals catering to minorities is thought-provoking. It would be interesting to see how these biases may impact health outcomes and patient experiences. Your mention of the population demographics in Kankakee County and the barriers faced by residents, such as transportation and location of provider offices, further contextualizes the issue. The references to Vela et al. (2022) and USCB (2022) strengthen your argument and provide additional context. It’s encouraging to hear that the county is making progress in addressing these barriers, but there is still work to be done to ensure equitable healthcare access for all residents.

Impact of Biases in Healthcare

The year 2020 brought to the forefront the explicit biases that exist not only in society but also within healthcare systems. While some celebrated healthcare workers as heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic, others experienced harassment and discrimination (Charlesworth & Maharin, 2019). The tragic death of George Floyd spotlighted systemic racism on a national level, further emphasizing the presence of explicit bias.

However, it is essential to recognize that biases in healthcare are not limited to explicit bias but also encompass implicit bias. These biases can significantly affect patient-clinician communication and clinical decision-making (Vela et al., 2022). Implicit biases may lead to disparities in the quality of care provided to patients, depending on their racial or ethnic backgrounds.

Moreover, biases can extend beyond clinical care and impact other aspects of healthcare systems, including admissions, promotions, bedside instruction, and classroom instruction of clinicians (Vela et al., 2022). This systemic bias may lead to underrepresentation and unequal opportunities for individuals from marginalized communities within the healthcare workforce.

Biases and Population Health in Orange County, Florida

In Orange County, Florida, the presence of biases can have far-reaching consequences, particularly when evaluating obesity rates. Socioeconomic factors, combined with biases, can limit access to healthy food alternatives and safe exercise facilities. For example, low-income neighborhoods may have fewer supermarkets and an overabundance of fast-food restaurants, making it challenging for residents to access nutritious food options (Ohri-Vachaspati et al., 2019).

Additionally, biases can manifest in healthcare settings, impacting the quality of care provided to individuals seeking obesity screening or treatment. Individuals from marginalized communities may experience disparities in healthcare access and may not receive timely or adequate obesity-related care.

Barriers in Kankakee County, Illinois

Shifting our focus to Kankakee County, Illinois, we can observe various barriers that hinder population health outcomes. While there have been efforts to address these barriers, several challenges persist. One significant barrier is transportation. Although a public transportation system has been established in recent years, the infrequency of services can limit its convenience, particularly for those without personal transportation.

Moreover, the location of healthcare provider offices poses another challenge. The concentration of healthcare facilities within a small area, especially on the same side of town, can be inconvenient for residents living farther away. This geographical barrier can hinder access to healthcare services and preventive care, ultimately impacting population health outcomes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, biases and barriers play a substantial role in shaping population health outcomes in various communities, including Orange County, Florida, and Kankakee County, Illinois. These factors affect not only obesity rates but also overall health and well-being. Addressing biases, both explicit and implicit, and dismantling systemic barriers are essential steps in achieving equitable healthcare access and improving population health outcomes.

Efforts should focus on eliminating disparities in healthcare, increasing access to nutritious food alternatives, and improving transportation options for underserved communities. By recognizing and addressing biases and barriers, we can work toward creating healthier, more equitable communities where all individuals have an equal opportunity to thrive.

References

Charlesworth, T., Maharin, B. (2019). Age and Generation Issues. Research: How Americans’ Biases Are Changing (or not) over time. Harvard Business Review.

Ohri-Vachaspati, P., DeWeese, R. S., Acciai, F., DeLia, D., Tulloch, D., Tong, D., Lorts, C., & Yedidia, M. (2019). Healthy food access in low-income high-minority communities: A longitudinal assessment-2009-2017. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(13), 2354.

USCB. (2022). United States Census Bureau. Quickfacts Kankakee County, Illinois. Retrieved From.

Vela, M. B., Erondu, A. I., Smith, N. A., Peek, M. E., Woodruff, J. N., & Chin, M. H. (2022). Eliminating Explicit and Implicit Biases in Health Care: Evidence and Research Needs. Annual review of public health, 43, 477–501.

FAQs

1. FAQ 1: How do biases, both explicit and implicit, affect patient-clinician communication and clinical decision-making in healthcare?
   • Answer: Biases can influence healthcare interactions and decision-making, potentially leading to disparities in the quality of care provided to patients based on their racial or ethnic backgrounds. This impact is explored in-depth in the paper.
2. FAQ 2: What role do socioeconomic factors play in limiting access to healthy food alternatives and safe exercise facilities, particularly in communities like Orange County, Florida?
   • Answer: Socioeconomic factors can significantly impact access to nutritious food options and safe exercise facilities. The paper discusses how these factors contribute to health disparities.
3. FAQ 3: How are biases manifested in healthcare settings, and what impact do they have on individuals seeking obesity-related screening or treatment?
   • Answer: Biases can manifest in healthcare settings, leading to disparities in healthcare access and potentially affecting the timeliness and adequacy of obesity-related care. The paper provides insights into this issue.
4. FAQ 4: What are some of the barriers that residents in areas like Kankakee County, Illinois, face when it comes to accessing healthcare, and how can these barriers impact their health outcomes?
   • Answer: Barriers such as transportation limitations and the location of healthcare provider offices can hinder access to healthcare services and preventive care. The paper explores these challenges and their implications for health outcomes.
5. FAQ 5: How can communities work towards eliminating biases and dismantling systemic barriers to achieve more equitable healthcare access and improved population health outcomes?
   • Answer: The paper suggests strategies and initiatives that communities can implement to address biases, improve access to healthcare, and create healthier, more equitable environments for all residents.

 

 

 

 

 

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