Health Disparities Within The United States - 1196 Words

The United States is faced with multiple health disparities within the country that encompass many challenges for individuals when it comes to the fairness and access to health care. A health disparity is defined as the inconsistency of treatment between two different groups of individuals. Treatment that could be different could be seen as different care due to age, race, ethnicity, culture, or current socioeconomic status (Koh et al., 2012). Treatment may be different or delivered in different ways between literacy component individuals and illiterate individuals and be viewed as unequal care. Healthcare facilities must be cautious when providing care and be cautious of the health disparities that exist in order to provide equal and†¦show more content†¦The nurse must find out the ways an individual can receive information that will be implemented into one’s own daily regimen. Low health literacy has negative health outcomes for many individuals impacted by the unattained health information and teaching that has not been established. Many low literacy individuals do not seek needed treatment due to the cost, unfamiliar location, and the foreign procedures that may occur. Individuals that suffer from low literacy are more prone to the development of chronic disease like diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure. Low health literacy is commonly associated with a low socioeconomic status. This disparity accounts for the large number of individuals that do not receive vaccinations due to the lack of insurance, information, and impending cost (Bostock Steptoe, 2012). Individuals with low health literacy due not receive care until unconditionally necessary. This then accounts for the large number of emergency room admissions due to the serious problem that has occurred (Schumacher et al., 2013). Individuals with low health literacy also face the problem of not having acquired health insurance due to the confusion of most healthcare plans provided. Without health insurance, the out of pocket price for medical expenses becomes a burden for many individuals to digest (Koh et al., 2012). With the large out of pocket price many individuals alienate healthcare facilities altogether. The