Application Of Personal Perspective Disparities And Determin

Application Personal Perspective Disparities And Determinants Of He

Application: Personal Perspective - Disparities and Determinants of Health Health disparities and the social determinants of health can be influenced by many factors, some obvious and some you may never have considered until now. What does health equity mean to you? What can be done to improve the health of vulnerable populations in your community, nationally, and even globally? To prepare for this Application Assignment, review your Learning Resources and the Discussion posts from your classmates this week. Think about your community, and particularly the vulnerable populations and their health risks, as you answer the questions in this week's application.

Find at least two additional resources to add information to your application. One resource should be from a recent (last 5 years) peer-reviewed journal (from the Walden University Library). For suggestions to help with your search, visit the Library. The other additional resource should be from an online source with ".edu", ".org", or ".gov" in the web address to ensure you are accessing a reliable resource. To complete this Application Assignment, write a 2- to 3-page paper that discusses how health equity and the social determinants of health, as described in this week's Learning Resources, relate to a racial, ethnic, or geographic group of your choice. In your paper, answer the following questions: 1. What does health equity mean to you? What is the impact of health equity from the perspective of a health care professional? 2. What racial, ethnic, or geographic population are you basing this application on? What types of issues related to health equity are reported in the population you selected for this application? 3. How does your definition of health equity and diversity relate to Walden's mission of social justice? Instruction: Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week's Learning Resources and additional scholarly sources, as required. Refer to the Essential Guide to APA Style for Walden Students to ensure that your in-text citations and reference list are correct.

Paper For Above instruction

This paper aims to explore the concept of health equity, examining its significance from the perspective of health care professionals and how it relates to specific racial, ethnic, or geographic populations. Emphasizing the social determinants of health, the discussion integrates current scholarly research and policy insights to highlight pathways toward reducing disparities and promoting social justice.

Health equity, to me, embodies the fairness and justice in health, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to attain their highest level of health regardless of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, geography, or other social factors. From a healthcare professional's perspective, health equity translates into a commitment to eliminate disparities that are often rooted in unequal social conditions, policies, and resource distribution. It involves understanding the complex influences of determinants like housing, education, income, environment, and social support—which significantly affect health outcomes and access to care (Brennan Ramirez et al., 2008). The impact of health equity is profound, as it influences quality of life, reduce preventable illnesses, and improves overall societal well-being.

For this analysis, I focus on the African American community in the United States. This population has historically faced substantial health disparities, including higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, which are compounded by social determinants such as limited access to quality healthcare, economic inequities, food deserts, and environmental hazards (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2009). These issues are indicative of systemic inequities and underscore the importance of targeted interventions to improve health outcomes within this community. The reports consistently demonstrate that social and economic barriers contribute to worsened health status, thus emphasizing the need for culturally competent care, policy reforms, and community engagement strategies to bridge these gaps.

My understanding of health equity aligns with Walden's mission of social justice, which advocates for equitable access to health resources and the elimination of disparities that undermine human dignity and societal fairness. Promoting diversity and inclusion in healthcare policies and practices is essential to upholding social justice principles. It involves recognizing the unique vulnerabilities of racial and ethnic groups and ensuring that health initiatives are culturally sensitive and participatory. As healthcare professionals, aligning our efforts with social justice entails advocating for policies that reduce inequalities, investing in community-based health programs, and fostering environments where diverse populations feel empowered to seek care. The comprehensive approach to health equity reflects a commitment to systemic change and justice as central tenets of professional responsibility.

References

  • Brennan Ramirez, L. K., Baker, E. A., & Metzler, M. (2008). Promoting health equity: A resource to help communities address social determinants of health. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). State-specific Prevalence of Obesity Among U.S. Adults by Race/Ethnicity. Atlanta, GA: CDC. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity
  • World Health Organization. (2008). Closing the gap in a generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health. Geneva: WHO. Retrieved from https://www.who.int
  • Friel, S., Chopra, M., & Satcher, D. (2007). Unequal weight: Equity oriented policy responses to the global obesity epidemic. BMJ, 1241–1243. Retrieved from https://www.bmj.com
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2009). Community health status indicators. Retrieved from https://www.health.data.gov
  • World Health Organization. (2017). Social determinants of health: Key insights and policy options. Geneva: WHO. Retrieved from https://www.who.int
  • Williams, D. R., Gonzalez, H. M., Neighbors, H., et al. (2007). Prevalence and distribution of major depressive disorder in African Americans, Caribbean Blacks, and Non-Hispanic Whites: Results from the National Survey of American Life. Archives of General Psychiatry, 64(3), 305-315.
  • Williams, D. R., & Mohammed, S. A. (2009). Discrimination and racial disparities in health: Evidence and needed research. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 32(1), 20-37.
  • Kawachi, I., Subramanian, S. V., & Kim, D. (Eds.). (2018). Social Epidemiology. Oxford University Press.
  • Braveman, P., & Gruskin, S. (2003). Defining equity in health. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 57(4), 254-258.

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