scholarly journals Population-Poverty Linkages and Health Consequences

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-50
Author(s):  
Sanghmitra Sheel Acharya
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Social Trust ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Social Institutions ◽  
Access To Resources ◽  
Population Groups ◽  
Poor Health Outcome ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Different Populations

Population dynamics and determinants of poverty are associated in a way that affects access to resources which influence health. The popular belief often is that population growth causes problems including poverty.  Scientific arguments, however, have fairy well established that it is the nature of development, which is important to ensures availability, access and utilization of resources, services and opportunities for different population groups. Population growth is an insufficient explanation for denial of access to resources because development disparities across globe render different populations exposed to vulnerabilities of varied kinds. Disparities in health between different social groups are the function of unequal way in which the determinants of health are distributed in society. Beyond its effects on health, inequality has far reaching consequences on social trust and cohesion affecting social institutions; and also on  mortality and health outcomes. Factors such as income, employment status, housing, education, social position, and social exclusion have direct and indirect bearings on health over lifetimes. In many countries there is evidence of a social gradient in health, with those in more advantaged positions enjoying generally better health and lower mortality. In India, caste is an important axes on which discrimination and denial occurs causing poor health outcome. In term of income and social indicators, India is one of the most unequal countries in the world.  The present paper endeavours to understand the determinants of disparity among population groups across countries which influence access to health care with special reference to India.

scholarly journals The role of social capital and acculturation in healthcare access : the case of Hispanics in Missouri

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Maria E. Rodriguez-Alcal�
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Care Physician ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Structural Barriers ◽  
Access To Health

Hispanics are today the largest group with the lowest access to health care in the U.S. as measured by several studies that quantify rates of uninsured and percentages who lack a primary care physician (R. Andersen, Lewis, Giachello, Aday, and Chiu, 1981; R. M. Andersen, Giachello, and Aday, 1986; Balcazar, Grineski, and Collins, 2015; Fiscella, Franks, Doescher, and Saver, 2002; Gresenz, Rogowski, and Escarce, 2009; Livingston, 2009). In states like Missouri, where the Hispanic population growth is relatively recent, the issue is new (Haverluk and Trautman, 2008; Stepler and Brown, 2015). Although the percentage of Latinos in Missouri is still low - about 4% - what is noteworthy is the group's population growth of 311% for the period 1990 to 2016 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2014b, 2014a). A theoretical analysis that applies Gramsci's (2014[1948]) idea of cultural hegemony shows that structural barriers have been imposed over the years to restrict access to health care for Hispanics mainly through the intersection of federal healthcare and immigration legislation. A meta-analysis of 83 published studies further corroborate the structural barriers in place and identifies additional ones that apply to acculturation and social capital. Although acculturation has been measured by various studies that focus on Hispanics' access to health care, overall, these usually fail to clearly explain and justify how and why they chose certain ways to operationalize such variable. In addition, social capital is practically neglected in this literature. Although there are studies that measure and discuss the importance of having social networks to access medical resources, almost no study uses the term social capital and even fewer measure or discuss it by subtypes. Data from a survey study conducted in the state of Missouri in 2014 is used as the basis of logistic regression analysis. The study further corroborates that there are structural barriers, but also finds that acculturation and social capital impact access for this population. In particular, I find that Hispanics in Missouri possess low levels of acculturation as it applies specifically to the American healthcare system. Two types of social capital are found to be significant but in opposite directions. Bonding social capital, which stems from strong relationships, is found to hinder access. This may be because many such tight networks may not be as connected to the Anglo portion of the American society that is better linked to resources. On the other hand, bridging social capital, which stems from weak relationships, is found to be an enabler of access. These results indicate that we need to go beyond just offering medical insurance to this group. In order for Hispanics to increase access to health care they need to be better acculturated to the American healthcare system, as well as need to be connected to the proper social networks that can enhance access.

Transgender HIV and sexually transmissible infections

Sexual Health ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna McNulty ◽  
Chris Bourne
Keyword(s):  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
Social Recognition ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

Transgender women across a range of different populations and settings have a high prevalence of HIV infection. There are fewer and often poorer quality studies of sexually transmissible infection (STI) prevalence. There are fewer studies in transgender men and, in general, the prevalence of HIV and STIs is lower than that of transgender women. Susceptibility to HIV and STI infection is inextricably linked to the increased vulnerability of transgender populations, a consequence of a lack of legal and social recognition that results in reduced access to educational and employment opportunities, which can result in high rates of transactional sex. Other measures of disadvantage, such as substance abuse and mental health problems, also increase the risk of HIV and STIs and have an effect on access to health care, highlighting the need for transgender-friendly multidisciplinary services offering individualised risk assessment, prevention advice and testing for STI and HIV.

Using Technology to Improve Access to Health Care for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 71-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline A. Mashima
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Improve Access

Important initiatives in health care include (a) improving access to services for disadvantaged populations, (b) providing equal access for individuals with limited or non-English proficiency, and (c) ensuring cultural competence of health-care providers to facilitate effective services for individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, 2001). This article provides a brief overview of the use of technology by speech-language pathologists and audiologists to extend their services to underserved populations who live in remote geographic areas, or when cultural and linguistic differences impact service delivery.

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