Healthcare Discrimination During The Pandemic

Healthcare Discrimination During The Pandemicwlos 1 2 3 Clos 1

Healthcare Discrimination During The Pandemic [WLOs: 1, 2, 3] [CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Prior to beginning work on this assignment, review Chapter 4 in Diversity, Cultural Humility, and the Helping Professions: Building Bridges Across Difference, investigate the issues of structural racial discrimination faced by subcultures when seeking medical assistance associated with social, economic, and environmental factors. Read the article Opportunities to Tackle Structural Racism and Ethnicity-Based Discrimination in Recovering and Rebuilding From the COVID-19 Pandemic. Watch the video How Covid-19 Is Highlighting Racial Disparities in America’s Healthcare | Deep Dives | Health.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, media reports highlighted racial and ethnic healthcare disparities affecting minority and marginalized groups, including limited access to testing, vaccines, and treatment, as well as negative treatment by healthcare professionals and xenophobic behaviors in communities. Your paper will explore these discrimination issues and propose solutions using theoretical perspectives and models. In your paper:

- Identify the categorization of exclusion associated with racial and ethnic discrimination discussed in the article.

- Examine the impact of colonialism, xenophobia, stigmatization of marginalized groups, and structural racism, focusing on Native and African Americans.

- Discuss anti-discrimination policies that can encourage healthcare workers and administrators to foster equitable and inclusive interactions with both non-White and White patients.

- Describe how language can be used in public messaging and communication to reduce structural racism in healthcare.

- Select three models of health disparities that relate to discrimination against different subcultures in U.S. society.

Your paper should be two to three double-spaced pages long, excluding the title and references pages, and formatted in APA style. Include a separate title page with the title in bold, your name, institution (The University of Arizona Global Campus), course name and number, instructor’s name, and due date. The introduction must end with a clear thesis statement outlining the purpose of your paper, followed by a structured body and a conclusion. Use at least three credible sources beyond the course textbook and cite all sources appropriately in APA format. A references page must be included at the end.

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Paper For Above instruction

The COVID-19 pandemic has starkly revealed deep-rooted racial and ethnic disparities within the American healthcare system, highlighting the ongoing issues of structural discrimination faced by marginalized communities. These disparities are not only social or economic problems but are embedded into the very fabric of healthcare institutions through systemic biases, historical inequalities, and cultural stigmatization. This paper explores the categorization of exclusion associated with racial and ethnic discrimination, the effects of colonialism, xenophobia, and stigmatization, suggests policies for creating more equitable healthcare environments, emphasizes the importance of language in public health messaging, and examines models explaining health disparities rooted in discrimination.

The categorization of exclusion, as discussed in scholarly literature, framework highlights structural, institutional, and interpersonal dimensions (Loue & Kirdorsky, 2021). Structural exclusion refers to the systemic barriers that prevent marginalized groups from accessing quality healthcare, resulting from socio-economic disparities, discriminatory policies, and historical neglect. Institutional exclusion occurs when healthcare policies and practices perpetuate racism, such as limited representation of minority groups among healthcare providers, or inequitable allocation of resources. Interpersonal discrimination manifests in prejudiced attitudes and behaviors by healthcare professionals or community members, directly affecting the quality of care and health outcomes (Williams & Mohammed, 2009). These types of exclusion reinforce each other, creating entrenched health disparities that persist during crises like the pandemic.

Historically, the impact of colonialism and xenophobia plays a crucial role in shaping the discrimination faced by Native Americans, African Americans, and other marginalized groups. Colonialism laid the groundwork for systemic exploitation, dispossession of land, and social marginalization, leaving enduring health disparities rooted in poverty, limited access to health services, and mistrust of medical institutions (Williams & Jackson, 2005). Xenophobia intensified during the pandemic, notably targeting Asian American communities with scapegoating, harassment, and exclusion, further marginalizing these groups and impeding access to testing and vaccination programs. Stigmatization reinforces negative stereotypes and biases, resulting in discriminatory practices that exacerbate health inequities (Cheng et al., 2021).

Addressing these issues requires robust anti-discrimination policies that promote cultural humility, accountability, and equity. Healthcare organizations should implement training programs emphasizing cultural competence and implicit bias reduction, fostering an inclusive environment for patients and staff (Betancourt et al., 2015). Policies must ensure equitable distribution of resources, enforce anti-racism protocols, and promote workforce diversity to better reflect the communities served. Creating policies that protect against discrimination and harassment encourages healthcare providers to serve all patients with dignity and respect, fostering trust and better health outcomes.

Language plays a pivotal role in public health messaging. Using culturally sensitive, non-stigmatizing language in communication campaigns can reduce fear, confusion, and distrust among marginalized communities. Clear, respectful messaging that emphasizes community solidarity, cultural relevance, and the importance of health equity encourages participation in testing, vaccination, and treatment programs (Vaughan et al., 2020). Including community leaders and members in crafting messages enhances trust and cultural appropriateness, critical for reducing health disparities and combating structural racism.

Three models explaining health disparities associated with discrimination are the Social Determinants of Health model, the Minority Stress model, and the Ecosocial Theory. The Social Determinants model emphasizes how socio-economic factors, education, neighborhood environment, and healthcare access are shaped by structural racism and discrimination, resulting in disparate health outcomes (Healthy People 2030, 2020). The Minority Stress model explains how chronic stress from discrimination, prejudice, and social stigma leads to adverse physical and mental health outcomes among minority populations (Meyer, 2003). Ecosocial Theory integrates biological, social, and environmental factors, emphasizing how societal inequalities "embed" into individual health through pathways involving systemic racism (Krieger, 2012). These models help conceptualize the multifaceted impact of discrimination on health disparities and guide targeted interventions.

In conclusion, overcoming healthcare discrimination during pandemics requires comprehensive strategies rooted in understanding the ingrained nature of structural racism and social exclusion. Implementing anti-discrimination policies, utilizing culturally sensitive language, and applying relevant theoretical models are essential steps toward fostering health equity. As the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, addressing these disparities is not only a moral obligation but also crucial for improving public health outcomes and building a more just and inclusive healthcare system.

References

Betancourt, J. R., Green, A. R., Carrillo, J. E., & Park, E. R. (2015). Cultural competence and health disparities: Key perspectives and trends. Health Affairs, 24(2), 499–505.

Cheng, T. L., Tsai, L. T., & Kuo, Y. L. (2021). Racial disparities in COVID-19 outcomes and the role of stereotypes. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 60(4), 533–540.

Healthy People 2030. (2020). Social determinants of health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health

Krieger, N. (2012). Methods for the anthropometry of inequality: The ecosocial approach. American Journal of Human Biology, 24(4), 498–502.

Loue, S., & Kirdorsky, M. (2021). Diversity, cultural humility, and the helping professions: Building bridges across difference. Pearson.

Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129(5), 674–697.

Vaughan, R., Miller, C., & Frank, K. (2020). Culturally appropriate public health communication strategies during COVID-19. Health Promotion Practice, 21(3), 356–362.

Williams, D. R., & Jackson, P. B. (2005). Social sources of racial disparities in health. Health Affairs, 24(2), 325–334.

Williams, D. R., & Mohammed, S. A. (2009). Discrimination and racial disparities in health: Evidence and needed research. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 32(1), 20–47.