Case Study 2: What Race Has to Do with Breast Cancer
Health disparities among difference race groups continue to be a public health concern. Some races have higher chances of being diagnosed to certain types of serious health conditions as opposed to others. In the United States, African-American women continue to have the highest rates of breast cancer, and at higher risk of being diagnosed at a more advance stage of breast cancer. Although, research has demonstrated that biology and genes can put an individual at a higher risk of cancer, researchers are now identifying outside factors that are affecting many more women. For example, an article released by Time “What Race Has to Do with Breast Cancer” social and culture factors, such as social economic status, can greatly determine the health risk outcome. Women attaining lower incomes are more likely to experience the worst outcomes when they are diagnosed with breast cancer. Hence, studies have demonstrated that African American women are 40% to 70% risk of being diagnosed with stage 4
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For example, according to the racial-genetic model health disparities are explained in terms of the individual’s genetics. Hence, African American women are at higher risk for breast cancer. However, even though through primary prevention efforts such as breast cancer awareness campaigns and other forms of education, women living below the poverty line are still at high risk.
Primary prevention is the best approach in order to increase quality of life and prolong life. If low income individuals had easier access to health care, then maybe they would prevent from being diagnosed at a tertiary stage of breast cancer. However, many other barriers may affect women. Such as transportation, not having the income to afford expensive treatment, or not having the social support to withstand the severity of the
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Show Moreprovides a view of a field that embraces the paradigm shift that focuses on the health and health care away from the white majority and towards the diverse experiences of racial and ethnic minorities. Of particular the author talks about the complexities of health disparities from preventing chronic conditions in minority population including both domestic and international perspectives. The author further refers to social policy and the role of race and ethnicity in health research, social factors contributing to mortality, longevity and life expectancy, quantitative and demographic analysis and access and utilization of health services. LaVeist’s intended audience is undergraduate and graduate student but a wider audience exists such as community
This was one of the first cancer movements of it’s time that solely focused on breast cancer (Klawiter p.6). Komen used all of her resources that she possessed to raise money to promote research and campaign for early detection machines for women (Klawiter p.7). Race for cancer played a crucial role in the breast cancer movement by bring attention to not only breast cancer and praising those who survived it but they were also the first group to use pink to symbolize support for breast cancer (Klawiter p.7). The movement’s main value was to create a whole new acceptance for breast cancer in society and introduce it as household word instead of something quietly talked about in secret. Klawiter, in his article, critiqued that Race for cancer was determined to set aside breast cancer survivors from the others, which indirectly created a sense that other cancer patients were not as courageous nor were other cancers as deadly as breast cancer (Klawiter p.8).
As research shows, the quality of healthcare, from preconception through postpartum care could be an important factor in improving the well-being of Black mothers (Howell, 2018). Last, as mentioned in class, the social determinants of health are significant factors in Black Maternal health. In further detail, an article written by Crear-Perry, et al. goes into further detail about social needs and the five essentials: awareness, adjustment, assistance, alignment, and advocacy
(CDC Health Disparities & Inequalities Report – United States, 2013, Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Supplement, November 22, 2013, Vol.62, Supplement No. 3, pg.1-187) Statistics such as these has inspired me to seek a career in the sector of technology and science working in the field of healthcare as a Physical Therapist. Health disparities represent the differences in health between populations and affect groups of people based on various factors like age, race, gender, socioeconomic status, and demographics. For instance, differences in disease rates, receipt of preventive vaccinations, or risky behaviors are some examples of health disparities. Disparities in health have been recognized for years, resulting in some groups receiving less and lower quality health care than others and experiencing poorer health outcomes.
Disparities in health care have been an ongoing issue for more than two decades. Evidence suggests that disparities in women and minority population continue to be problematic, with little progress being made to eliminate them. Ethnic and disparities exist for several different reasons. However, several national organizations have made efforts to reduce health disparities, including the Institute of Medicine, (IOM), and the Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ) as well as Healthy People 20/20.
The lack of access and understanding of available resources is another factor for disparities in access to health care. If more people were educated on what is available to them they would have a higher chance of being qualified to be insured. Language barriers can also be a factor that comes into play. Not being able to read and understand what an application or person is saying can very frustrating and will lead to nowhere. 5.How can health disparities be
Health inequities among racial minorities are prominent and persistent and various forms of racism may be one of the important causes of these inequities. Cultural racism can be defined as negative images, stereotypes, and prejudice related to certain cultural group, for example, negative stereotypes of African American as unintelligent, lazy, living off welfare, and prone to violence. Whereas, interpersonal discrimination is directly perceived discriminatory treatment at individual-level due to belonging to certain racial and ethnic identity, for example, being rude to a person because he or she belonged to certain racial and ethnic identity (Williams & Mohammed, 2013). Whereas, structural racism include macro-level systems, social forces,
In recent times, the subject of health disparities has attracted a lot of attention through the media report in both local and national level.in this essay, the health condition of African American will be discussed in this in the following areas as their health status, barriers to health, diverse population and disparities, and health promotion approach to improving this situation. Health Status: According to the 2014 National Health Interview Survey, 13.5% of all African Americans have less than average health (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2014a). Averagely, the African-American have higher prevalence of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension compared to the national ratio. Further study reveals that 48
People that live in low income communities may not have access to nutritious food, adequate shelter or reliable transportation which can lead to decrease in health. One example of health disparities that plague low income families is lack of oral care reach can lead to a domino effect on medical health. There are over 45 million adults and children who live in an area where there is a shortage of dental care. Over half of the low income children have not been seen by a dentist or have received some form of preventative dental care because a lack in insurance. Also, there is a likely possibility that adults living in these types of areas are not receiving care as well.
Both men and women face health care disparities, the difference are each genders health concerns, access to healthcare, financial barriers, preventive and follow up care. In the 2013 Kaiser Men Health Survey and 2013 Kaiser Women Health Survey presented that women’s health concerns, preventive treatments, and follow up treatments, are of greater expense compared to men. So women are most likely not to access health care due to high cost and lack of insurance in comparison to men. This same study also found stereotypical gender roles plays a big part,when it comes to accessing health care. Women are most likely not to see a provider due to childcare, lack of transportation, lack of time and inability to take time off work.
The lack of physical activity, and poor diet habits can lead to more problems and money that they do not have to fix the problem. If the person lives in a poor community the education about health is poor. 4. What are some reasons for disparities in access to health care?
4). These findings help to shed light on some of the health issues faced by this population and elicits the need for a targeted culturally appropriate approach to reducing the disparities in health, faced by African immigrants in the U.S. DISCUSSION Awareness on cancers including the knowledge of the recommended routine screenings, predisposition and other risk factors to these cancers are essential. Access to regular quality healthcare is equally important to ensure the health of the community; however this access is impeded by a variety of issues including lack of insurance, low socioeconomic status, and cultural and linguistic barriers. This study focused on African immigrants and health issues they face, especially with chronic diseases
Kallen Brunson In the article, “How Race becomes Biology: Embodiment of Social Inequality” by Clarence C. Gravlee, Gravlee argues that race, and the assumption of race in everyday life, makes the difference in biology much more clear and affects the life cycles of people due to their perceived race (Gravlee, 51). The author provides, using both his research and others’, an argument against the complete notion that race is only a social construct (Gravlee, 53). Through a series of statements, Gravlee states that race shouldn’t simply be excluded from anthropological discussion, but incorporated into present views regarding healthcare and impacts on society.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people of most ethnicities in the United States, including African Americans, Hispanics, and whites.(2)” Among these ethnicities, African Americans have the highest death rate. Why is it that African Americans are at the top of this list? Perhaps it is because of the social inequality experienced on the socioeconomic scale. Socioeconomic status can heavily influence the optimal health of the heart in an individual; resulting in cardiac injury.
This essay aims to identify and evaluate the inequalities in health care in different areas of society, namely disability and gender. Firstly, it is important to understand what we mean by health inequalities. It is commonly understood that health inequality refers to unjust differences in the health status, usually preventable, between different groups, populations or individuals. The existence of such inequalities is attributed to the unequal distributions of social, environmental and economic conditions within societies. Such conditions determine the risk of individuals getting ill, their ability to prevent sickness, as well as opportunities to access to the right treatments.