Maternal mortality rates within the United States have reached an all-time high. Annually, nearly seven hundred women die from pregnancy-related complications, a number of which were highly preventable. When taking a closer look at these statistics, these deaths disproportionately affect Native American and African American women, making them two to three times more likely to suffer from poorer pregnancy outcomes. This paper examines the variety of factors that contribute to such a disproportionate maternal mortality rate, including geographic differences, racial and economic inequalities, and the accessibility of healthcare. Despite attempts to fix these issues, systemic and intrinsic issues persist, and individuals continue to suffer. This paper highlights the need to address maternal mortality disparities that affect marginalized groups, improved accessibility to healthcare for all, and overall policy reform in order to solve this issue indefinitely.
In our paper, we encompass the topic of socioeconomic disparities intrinsic to drug pricing and look at ways to ensure that every individual in the United States can access antibiotics equally and equitably. In the United States, a multitude of individuals find themselves struggling with high, out-of-pocket costs for necessary antibiotics or medications. These issues are generally caused by factors surrounding monopolistic drug markets, high costs for development, and the severity of disease that an individual is facing. We explore these challenges from a plethora of perspectives, such as; the role of specialty pharmacies, limited distribution networks, and the usage of psychotropic medications among youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). High prices and restricted access of certain antibiotics for conditions like Hepatitis C highlight the systemic and intrinsic issues within the pharmaceutical industry and how it affects individuals who suffer from this disease or diseases similar to it. On a similar topic to that, ongoing shortages of ADHD medications continue to show the consistent and heavy impact of supply constraints amongst the pharmaceutical industry in the United States. We discuss potential solutions, including but not limited to, accelerating the approval of basic drugs, implementing ceiling prices to prevent high costs, and better integrating health-system specialty pharmacies. By concentrating on the need for policy reforms within the United States and collaboration amongst the various stakeholders that remain involved with drug pricing disparities, this study aims to offer a varied approach in reducing drug pricing disparities and making necessary medications accessible to every individual in the United States, regardless of socioeconomic or health status.
This paper goes into depth regarding the prevalent issue of healthcare affordability in modern-day America. Our research explores the substantial impact of emergency and prolonged medical care expenses on diverse American families, particularly those in rural areas or those struggling financially. Beyond numerical analyses, we navigate the landscape of healthcare billing, questioning the complexity behind understanding medical expenses. Furthermore, we examine recent legislative measures, such as the No Surprise Act, to unravel their implications for individuals struggling with the burden of expensive medical bills. Our study is able to intertwine the facets of health insurance, healthcare costs, and accessibility, whilst focusing on their intersectionality with race and ethnicity. Through the examination of empirical evidence and well-examined studies, this paper advocates for an equitable and transparent healthcare system, envisioning a future where quality healthcare is accessible to all without the worry of financial issues.
The issue of climate change is persistent, and its effects on the general population as a whole are imminent. Climate change affects everything, from our health, to economies, and even the way we live together as a society. The paper outlines the profound, yet intricate impacts that climate change has brought upon healthcare, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals living with these rapid environmental shifts. It goes into detail in regards to the mental and physical health implications, the disproportionate effects on the most vulnerable communities, and the overall increasing pressure building on these healthcare industries. Urgent and adaptive strategies are a necessity for healthcare to effectively combat climate change and its impact on the world as a whole.
As the number of incarcerated women in the United States increases, it is important to address the persistent lack of care for women’s health. Research is only beginning to be done on how the health needs of incarcerated women are equal or even greater than that of non-incarcerated women. In and out of prisons, proper reproductive care is a basic, undeniable human right to have. In this literature review, we aim to raise awareness about the current state of reproductive care in prison settings. Comprehensive reproductive care includes access to sexual health supplies, menstrual products, prenatal care, and OB-GYN appointments, which are currently almost absent or dismally deficient in prisons. When considering the population of incarcerated women, it is important to keep in mind the systemic inequalities that have already made women of these socioeconomic backgrounds more susceptible to harm due to an inability to access health insurance and higher risks for infectious diseases. Preventative medical care such as STI testing and quality menstruation products, in addition to prenatal care for expecting mothers, is severely lacking. The experiences of transgender women reveal inadequacies in structural policies and consideration for mental health. In order to reform our prison systems to become more rehabilitative, we propose implementing structural interventions that account for a comprehensive reproductive healthcare system within prisons. This includes the enforcement of stricter accreditation for physicians working in prisons, utilization of telehealth, and comprehensive sexual and reproductive care protocol.
Hospice care amongst the elderly is not uncommon, as it specifically focuses on improving and supporting the lives of those who are either terminally ill or unable to support themselves. Over one million individuals are admitted into hospice care centers every year, and the numbers have only increased with time. However, this increase in patient quantity is accompanied with a higher risk of elder abuse within the hospice industry as a whole, as demonstrated by the five million older Americans who are abused every year. 1 Elder abuse within hospice settings is a public health issue that is not widely discussed. The abuse can appear in many forms and in all locations of patient care, from the home environment to hospice facilities. Elder abuse is wide ranging and includes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect and abandonment. Older individuals, especially those who depend on care from others, are especially vulnerable to such abuse. In this literature review, we aim to uncover the truth about elder abuse in various healthcare settings. We begin with current research findings and general knowledge about elder abuse. Next, we address nonprofit versus for-profit hospice centers, as well as the responsibilities of the healthcare team to speak out against abuse. In doing so, we then propose direct, actionable solutions that are in the process or being implemented or should be implemented in order to prevent further abuse of the elderly.
In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying outbreaks, the controversy of mandatory vaccination is again brought under scrutiny. Although it has been well researched within the scientific community that vaccination is a simple and safe procedure, it continues to face outlash and distrust within societal communities. This literature review is a study of the current perspectives within pro and anti vaccination groups. From childhood illnesses to vaccine production, school mandates to minor consent, these and many more factors influence the current outlook and attitudes of the American general public towards vaccines. From this examination, we propose an actionable solution for the government, public health officials, and individual people. By fact checking widely held myths about vaccination and enforcing stricter standards in academic spheres for life threatening illnesses, we can improve the overall health and livelihood of our communities. In today’s public health crisis, it is paramount for people to understand the methodology behind mass immunity and also provide alternatives to those who may have valid reasons against vaccination.
