Inequalities In Healthcare

Achieving and maintaining good health can help a person lead a longer, more productive life. People who have the capability of seeing their primary doctor for annual health assessments, and when they are ill, also have a higher chance at a longer life. People who live in an area of high poverty do not have the same access to health care as people in middle or upper class areas.

People who live in areas that are predominantly minorities or areas of lower social class may not have doctors in private practice, they may have "free clinics", walk in centers and county run hospitals. Doctors unfortunately want to be in an area where they can make money. Areas of social decline, even if patients area insured through programs like Medicaid/Medicare, do not provide the type of income doctors have come to expect.

People who go to the clinics stated above do not have the privilege of having one doctor who knows them and takes care of them on an on going basis. Doctors at clinics have a high turnover and a person going there may not see the same provider twice which can lead to mis-diagnosis. An example of this is a woman seeking prenatal care at a clinic for pregnant women, this woman may never see the same provider for many of her 18 or so prenatal

If as a child you were only taken to the doctor when you were very ill, because that is what your parents could afford, you may do the same to your child. If the only time you went to the doctor was to the health department or WIC office for your vaccinations, that is the health care you will provide for your child. Also, people in a lower socioeconomic class may be ill too often to have gainful employment creating another hardship on them getting out of their