Review Of A Recent Proposed Health Policy And Its Evidence

Review a Recent Proposed Health Policy and Its Evidenc

Review the Congress website provided in the Resources and identify one recent (within the past 5 years) proposed health policy. Review the health policy you identified and reflect on the background and development of this health policy. Post a description of the health policy you selected and a brief background for the problem or issue being addressed. Which social determinant most affects this policy? Explain whether you believe there is an evidence base to support the proposed policy and explain why.

Paper For Above instruction

The recent proposed health policy I selected from the Congress website is the "Health Equity and Accountability Act," introduced in 2021. This policy aims to address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes among marginalized populations, including racial minorities, low-income individuals, and rural residents. The policy emphasizes expanding Medicaid, increasing funding for community health programs, and implementing measures to reduce social determinants that contribute to health inequities.

The background of this health policy stems from longstanding disparities documented by various public health studies showing worse health outcomes and limited access to care for underserved populations. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted these inequities, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions. Historically, social determinants such as economic stability, education, neighborhood environment, and social context have significantly impacted health outcomes among vulnerable groups. The policy development was driven by legislative efforts to address systemic barriers and promote health equity through comprehensive reforms.

The social determinant that most affects this policy is economic stability, as income and employment status directly influence access to healthcare services, healthy food options, and stable housing. Economic disparities exacerbate health disparities, making it challenging for marginalized populations to receive preventive and primary care. The policy's emphasis on expanding Medicaid and increasing funding for community programs is aimed at mitigating these financial hurdles.

Regarding the evidence base, there is substantial research supporting the effectiveness of policies targeting social determinants of health. For example, studies have demonstrated that improving income support, housing stability, and access to preventive services lead to better health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs (Braveman et al., 2011; Berkman et al., 2014). The use of community health workers and culturally tailored interventions has shown promise in addressing disparities (Viswanathan et al., 2010). Furthermore, evidence from past policy initiatives indicates that comprehensive, multifaceted approaches yield sustained improvements in population health (Koh et al., 2019). Therefore, the proposed policy relies on a solid foundation of empirical data indicating that addressing social determinants can significantly reduce health disparities.

In conclusion, the "Health Equity and Accountability Act" is a timely response to the persistent inequities in healthcare. Its focus on social determinants, particularly economic stability, aligns with evidence showing that social and economic factors are critical drivers of health outcomes. The policy's strategies are supported by a broad base of research indicating that addressing social determinants can lead to meaningful improvements in health equity. Continued evaluation and research will be essential to ensure the policy effectively reduces disparities and improves health outcomes for all populations.

References

• Berkman, L. F., Kawachi, I., & Glymour, M. M. (2014). Social Epidemiology. Oxford University Press.
• Braveman, P., et al. (2011). Socioeconomic disparities in health in the United States: What the patterns tell us. American Journal of Public Health, 101(S1), S186-S196.
• Koh, H. K., et al. (2019). The power of prevention: Pathways to health equity. American Journal of Public Health, 109(S2), S84–S90.
• Viswanathan, M., et al. (2010). Community health workers as a strategy to improve health outcomes in underserved populations. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
• Congress.gov. (2021). Health Equity and Accountability Act. Retrieved from https://www.congress.gov