HEALTHCARE IN THE UNITED STATES
ACCESS ISSUES IN HEALTH CARE
8.5.9 Health Access for Illegal Immigrants
Many variables have already been discussed about why different persons or populations delay seeking healthcare or possibly receive inadequate healthcare. Illegal immigrants have unique health concerns as they may be mentally and physically vulnerable. Specific concerns for this population may be sex trafficking and lack of vaccinations, also. However, fear of exposing their residency status may be the primary concern of undocumented individuals and may explain why they delay or do not seek healthcare.
Language or other cultural barriers may be an issue when receiving needed healthcare for this population. Only some communities have clinics to address health needs of undocumented persons seeking care and include translation services as needed. Also, some health departments are available that provide childhood vaccinations and other health education services to undocumented families. For emergency situations, individuals could seek care in emergency rooms. Regardless of the legality of citizenship, no person is turned down in the U.S. emergency departments for healthcare.
8.6 CONSEQUENCES OF INADEQUATE ACCESS TO
HEALTHCARE
Individuals without access to healthcare overall, are likely to have poorer health and quality of life (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2019a). Individuals without access to healthcare are more likely to encounter increased healthcare costs to self and family and to society (ODPHP, 2019a). They are less likely to participate in preventive health measures and obtain needed healthcare services in a timely manner (ODPHP, 2019a). They are more likely to seek healthcare in emergency departments and outpatient clinics and be hospitalized for avoidable illnesses (ODPHP, 2019a). And, they are more likely to live with chronic conditions and succumb to complications prematurely (ODPHP, 2019a).
8.7 EMERGING ISSUES AND POSSIBLE
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Through the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, the federal government each decade develops initiatives striving for improved health for every American (ODPHP, 2020). Currently, Healthy People 2030 objectives are being formulated, while the 2020 objectives are being analyzed. The public may attend any committee meeting. Other emerging noteworthy issues are the COVID-19 virus, illegal immigration, numbers and availability of healthcare providers and work models used, telehealth, and lack of use of evidence-based preventive services.
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