Hurdles in Healthcare

Communities across the United States are concentrated with poorly maintained neighborhoods that lack services for meeting basic needs, individuals living below the federal poverty line, limited access to healthy foods, individuals that lack health insurance, patients suffering from preventable diseases, and subpar performing schools. In addition to these challenges, many of these individuals suffer from multiple comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, COPD, asthma, and the like. More times than not, these diseases are preventable with healthy lifestyle practices and can be sufficiently managed under the care of a primary care physician. Unfortunately, the majority of these patients do not seek medical care until their conditions have worsened due to a limited number of providers, long wait times for visits, difficulty scheduling appointments, inability to take time off from work, transportation barriers, as well as the lack of disease prevention resources and services. Sadly, the most common reason many do not seek care early is the lack of health insurance. Most do not reach income requirements or simply cannot afford deductibles and copayments. Although access is one hurdle to quality health care, it is not the only one.

Another hurdle is the health disparities socioeconomically disadvantaged people endure. An example of this is evidenced in the podcast “How the Bad Blood Started” which briefly discusses the exclusions African Americans faced in America during segregation. However,change-makers such as Rebecca Lee Crumpert and Montegue Cobb were determined to improve healthcare. Dr. Crunpert’s dedication to the healing and education of hundreds of African American patients and Dr. Montegue’s advocacy and creation of the NMA served as catalysts to implement change. Although much progress has been made with desegregation laws, health care policy, and various regulations, healthcare disparities are alarmingly high within our healthcare system because many fail to uphold the oath they make upon entry into the medical field. Even recently, an African American physician, Dr. Susan Moore complained of receiving inadequate medical care at the hands of racist medical staff. We need to change this, if not, many innocent people will die at the hands of those who swear to care for them. Professionalism is a great start for this change because it entails Physicians embodying the highest form of competence, honesty, morality, respect, and accountability. We have come a long way, however, we are nowhere near our destination.

The third hurdle is patients’ decision not following up with their providers. Primary care physicians are responsible for providing comprehensive care to patients through the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic conditions. Primary care physicians can improve the health of the population, help to keep emergency room visits low as well as decrease the number of hospitalizations. According to the article entitled, “Primary Care Is Integral To Improving U.S. Healthcare, But Is Falling Further Behind” unfortunately, not many people follow up with their primary care physicians as often as they should. The COVID 19 pandemic has caused even more patients to refrain from attending their primary care visits in fear of contracting the Corona Virus.

To effectively increase population health improvement, I believe investments should be made in all venues relating to health care delivery, particularly Community Health Centers. I believe Community Health Centers would best address the ‘met’ and ‘unmet’ health needs of our U.S. population. For one, these facilities reduce health disparities. Secondly, Community Health Centers also provide highly efficient and cost-effective care, generating billions in savings for the health care system annually. Many patients are hesitant to see their doctor due to long wait times, but community health centers tend to increase access to timely primary care. Community Health Centers also deliver the majority of the screenings, procedures, and other health services hospitals do. Community Health Centers can reduce health disparities, and even provide services such as transportation, case management, and health education which would encourage patients to return.The journey to great healthcare is not easy, but the progress continues.