Introduction
Health disparities occur in every state in the United States as they arise from social, economic, and environmental differences prevalent throughout the country. A health disparity can be defined as “preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). This post will consider health disparities and initiatives to address them in the state of Pennsylvania.
Health Disparities in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a large state with several urban and rural counties and a high population density. The primary health disparities in the state relate to geographic, economic, and racial/ethnic factors that restrict access to health care for different populations (Henderson, 2021). According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health (2018), African American, non-Hispanic adults are more likely to develop arthritis, hypertension, and diabetes due to limited access to health care. In addition, access to health care is restricted for the citizens of the state living in rural areas, where there are fewer health care facilities (Henderson, 2021). Several initiatives are aimed at addressing health disparities between different populations in Pennsylvania. For example, in 2021, the program to create Regional Accountable Health Councils across the state was announced. The councils will address health disparities in the state and promote health equity, identifying and targeting regional social determinants of health (Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, 2021). However, it is unclear how disparities in different populations will be addressed as the priority areas for the programs have not been established.
Conclusion
In summary, numerous health disparities in Pennsylvania need urgent tackling. They stem from the social differences between populations, leading to economic and racial/ethnic disparities in health outcomes as well as the geographical factor and lack of health care facilities in rural areas. Nevertheless, initiatives to tackle health disparities are being developed every year to identify the most problematic areas in the state of Pennsylvania and address them to ensure better outcomes for underprivileged populations.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Health disparities. Web.
Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania. (2021). DHS initiative to address health disparities across PA. HAP. Web.
Henderson, E. (2021). Health disparities in Pennsylvania have become more pronounced during COVID-19, shows report. News-Medical.net. Web.
Pennsylvania Department of Health. (2018). Minority health disparities in Pennsylvania. Web.