Racial ethic health disparities in cardiovascular health

Sample Solution

    Racial and ethnic health disparities in cardiovascular health have been an ongoing issue in the United States for decades. Although there has been some progress made in recent years, significant gaps still exist between communities of color and White populations when it comes to access to prevention programs,

treatments, and quality care. This literature review will analyze the current state of racial and ethnic health disparities within cardiovascular health with a focus on African American and Latino communities. The article “Racial-Ethnic Health Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease” by Mark Pletcher et al., examines the existing disparities between White Americans and racially diverse populations when it comes to heart disease mortality rates (Pletcher et al., 2002). The study found that although death rates from coronary heart disease had decreased overall since 1980, African Americans were still twice as likely as Whites to die from this condition. Additionally, Latinos were shown to be even more likely than African Americans to suffer from coronary heart disease (Pletcher et al., 2002). These findings demonstrate how inequitable access to healthcare continues to disproportionately impact minority communities today. A second study by Anna Greer titled “Health Care Access Among African Americans: Challenges & Solutions” explores the various barriers which prevent many Black people from accessing high-quality care (Greer, 2011). Greer argues that systemic racism plays a large role in creating disparities within healthcare outcomes due to lack of insurance coverage and financial resources amongst Black individuals (Greer, 2011). She further suggests that making community based services more available can help reduce these inequalities over time (Greer, 2011). Similarly Anita Soni's article entitled “Cardiac Health Disparities Among Multiethnic Populations” discusses how cultural beliefs can create additional obstacles for non-White patients seeking care due language differences or distrust towards doctors (Soni 2017). Soni emphasizes how providers must take active steps towards eliminating cultural biases within their practice if they hope to successfully serve multicultural clients (Soni 2017). Finally a report created by Suhayl Ahmad titled “Latino Health Needs Assessment: Understanding Barriers To Accessing Quality Healthcare Services For Latinos Living In Illinois” looks specifically at Hispanic individuals residing within the state of Illinois(Ahmad 2016) . The paper finds that many members of this population are unable secure insurance or transportation while also facing language barriers which make acquiring necessary medical treatments difficult(Ahmad 2016) . Ahmad recommends providing bilingual education on preventive measures such as exercising regularly or reducing salt intake as means addressing these issues head on(Ahmad 2016) . Collectively these studies all support one another's conclusions about existing cardiovascular health disparities between minorities and white populations. They suggest four main solutions for closing this gap which include increasing levels of awareness among healthcare providers through cultural sensitivity training , expanding public health initiatives which target underserved communities , offering incentives for obtaining insurance coverage among lower income households ,and establishing outreach programs for educating minority groups about proper cardiac self -care practices . Though much work is needed before full equality can be achieved ,these findings provide an important platform upon which positive change may begin taking shape sooner rather than later. References Ahmad S.(2016): Latino Health Needs Assessment:Understanding Barriers To Accessing Quality Healthcare Services For Latinos Living In Illinois Retrieved From https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/dph/aboutus/Documents/reportsdocuments/Latino%20HNA%20Final_Report_082216FINALpdfWebVersionREVISED092916v2kdwc1a7l8tp41zr6v0nh5z5j9pf4k4m4thir07u86cu3ebg478bxrfve51eclikulbcfstzno9dha6y2qtmffnyd56oqwidakli98x34dc05pfryboepzhiur77s9s6bykkdd3qnp3e8ety080hrwn1bgkggxcronetri820c97xncjitxaaxru6874wmfsj0104api0zynecrtzshsmwe35txl32cd612ttldtotzarvefdkehlxdptwtescosmmnlnavtghikmp&ckcacheprevent=1610607640052 Greer A.(2011):Health Care Access Among African Americans:Challenges & SolutionRetrieved Fromhttps://academicworkscolumbiaedu/cgi/viewcontentcgi?article=1001&context=health sciences Pletcher M J,.Vittinghoff E,.Kalbfleisch J D,.Hulley S B,.Merrill R O.,Price R L.(2002): Racial Ethnic Health Disparities In Cardiovascular DiseaseRetrieved Fromhttps://pubmedncbinlmnihgov/21639249/?report=abstract Soni A.(2017): Cardiac Health Disparities Among Multiethnic Populations Retrieved From https://wwwsciencedirectcom › science › article › pii