Social Determinants of Health-Health Disparity & Health Inequity
Health disparities are associated with inequitable treatment, inequalities, race, ethnicity, financial cost of treatments, and lack of access to healthcare services (Mahmood et al., 2024, p.10).
Individuals that experience homelessness due to health disparities are at increased risk of developing infections such as bacterial, fungal, respiratory, tuberculosis, and bloodborne pathogens because of residing in congregate shelters (Baggett & Kertesz, 2025). In addition, individuals that encounter homelessness are at significant risk of becoming afflicted with mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, cognitive deficits, lack of self-care, sleep alterations, suicidal ideation, and aggression towards others (Mueser, 2025).
Health inequity are differences in health outcomes among groups, emerging directly from socioeconomic backgrounds and social determinants of health (WHO, 2018). Health inequities increase the probability of racial disparities in healthcare, poverty, morbidities/mortalities, provider mistrust, stigma, reduced compliance with personalized treatments, and decreased quality of life (García-Hernández et al., 2025, p.8).
Interdisciplinary
teams including advanced healthcare professionals, social workers, and registered
nurses must collaborate with each other to address healthcare disparities and health
inequities in the community.
Methods to provide safe, equitable care for the general population are to treat individuals with dignity and respect, address individuals’ health concerns, and validate emotional needs of individuals (CDC, 2024). In addition, it is imperative for health care professionals to avoid invalidation and belittlement to prevent the risk of miscommunication, mistrust, and stigma (CDC, 2024).
Finally, it is essential to mitigate knowledge gaps in the healthcare environment
and collaborate with social services to provide cost-efficient services for
individuals to seek medical care, for the purpose of promoting adherence to
medications and treatments, and quality of life (CDC, 2024).
References:
Baggett,
T. P., & Kertesz, S. G. (2025). Health care of people experiencing
homelessness in the United States. UpToDate. Retrieved from: https://www-uptodate-com.husson.idm.oclc.org/health-care-of-people-experiencing-homelessness-in-the-united-states
CDC
(2024). Health Disparities. U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-youth/health-disparities/index.html
CDC
(2024). About Health Equity. U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/health-disparities-hiv-std-tb-hepatitis/about/index.html
García-Hernández,
H., Salinas-Escudero, G., Reyes-Morales, H., & Carrillo-Vega, M. F. (2025).
Health inequities in functional limitation among Mexican older adults: An
intersectional approach. PLoS ONE, 20(8), 1–14.
https://doi-org.husson.idm.oclc.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0325211
Mahmood,
A., Kedia, S., Arshad, H., Mou, X., & Dillon, P. J. (2024). Disparities in
Access to Mental Health Services Among Children Diagnosed with Anxiety and
Depression in the United States. Community Mental Health Journal, 60(8),
1532–1546. https://doi-org.husson.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s10597-024-01305-3
Mueser,
K. T. (2025). Assertive community treatment for patients with severe mental
illness. UpToDate. Retrieved from: https://www-uptodate-com.husson.idm.oclc.org/contents/assertive-community-treatment-for-patients-with-severe-mental-illness
WHO
(2018). Health inequities and their causes. World Health
Organization. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/news-room/facts-in-pictures/detail/health-inequities-and-their-causes
Nour,
ReplyDeleteThe statement: "Health disparities are preventable differences that coexist in certain demographic groups." the challenge seems to be identifying them and then addressing. Were there specific groups you found where this is more true?
While living overseas in the Middle East, specifically in the country called Jordan. At a small clinic where I volunteered as a registered nurse, I noted certain demographic groups such as upper wealthy class, were provided with healthcare resources [efficient care, high quality care] due to their high status in society. Compared to other demographic groups that were experiencing poverty, they were not provided with resources to attend healthcare services, funding for transportation, or assistance with medication management. This increased the risk of health disparities, mistrust in the community, morbidities/mortalities. Thank you for responding to my blog.
DeleteNour, what would you do if there were no social services offered within your practice? I find that some very small practices that exist in rural areas often have little to no social services. How would you advocate for your patients and ensure they receive ample support? Very challenging to face!
ReplyDeleteIt would be tremendously challenging to have no social services, especially in rural areas. I would collaborate with healthcare professionals, social workers to bridge the gap of lack of social services. Perhaps we would attend city call meetings and advocate for safe, patient centered care and insist that social services are required to ensure all residents in the community are accessing healthcare services (medication refills, funding for transportation, funding for procedures or provider visits). Thank you got responding to my blog.
ReplyDelete