Health equity ensures that everyone can have equal access to quality, affordable health care regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, ability, socioeconomic status, and geographical location (i.e., urban versus rural). However, the reality is that there are health disparities. About WordPress
A health disparity is a when there is a difference in health associated with an unfair economic, social, or environmental disadvantage. Health disparities disproportionately affect groups that face greater social or financial challenges. Higher maternal mortality rates among Black women compared to Caucasians, for example, are a health disparity.
Achieving health equity, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is to address the various health disparities that exist. For example, those living in rural areas are far from medical treatment centers. Mobile health clinics and vehicles equipped with medical equipment may help increase access, improving equity for those in rural areas. Expanding the utilization of telemedicine is another way to provide greater access to people in these areas.
Home Health Care Provides Greater Health Equity in Communities
Care models that have evolved in the home health care space, such as Hospital at Home and chronic care management, enable patients and providers to interact more effectively. They allow providers to address the numerous factors affecting health equity more meaningfully. The hospital-at-home program, for example, enables health care organizations to provide quality hospital-level care to ill patients at home. Various health care providers, including home health care agencies, have adopted the program, demonstrating that it reduces costs, improves outcomes, and enhances the patient experience.
Moving care from the hospital into the home makes health care more accessible to everyone. In addition, whether the patient has a provider visit their home or interacts with their care team virtually, at-home care reduces the burden for patients to receive care, makes it easier for them to engage in their health, and makes it less likely that they miss a follow-up encounter.
When patients are treated at the hospital or clinic, the providers don’t get a view of their daily lives and what may be impacting their health. On the other hand, home health care models allow providers to see patients in their daily lives and better assess their mental health, daily living activities, and social determinants of health (SDOH), such as access to nutritious foods.
Patients are also more comfortable asking questions and sharing information about their health in the home-care setting. Patients feel more at ease engaging with their provider when sitting in their comfy chair, perhaps wrapped in their favorite blanket.
Health equity is a societal issue. At-home care can be a vital part of the solution. However, there is still plenty of work to do to level the playing field, including providing access to broadband internet to all people.
About Manchester Specialty
We specialize in providing agents and brokers with totally integrated business insurance solutions to meet the needs of Home Care, Allied Health, Medical Staffing, and Human/Social Services organizations. For more information about how our products and services can help protect your insureds and how we recognize accredited firms, please contact us at 855.972.9399.