Social Determinants of Care in Florida

Social Determinant of Health

St. Mary's Community Health Clinic, located in Miami, Florida, serves low-income families within the community in Miami. The social determinant of health (SDOH) that will be discussed in this paper is access to healthcare.

Access to healthcare is a significant social determinant of health that affects low-income families in Miami (Taylor et al., 2021). These families often face barriers such as lack of insurance, transportation issues, and limited availability of medical facilities, leading to disparities in health outcomes.

Health Inequity Factors

Social factors contribute to health inequities among low-income families in Miami, as many of these families are Hispanic and experiencing language barriers that keep them from communicating well with English-only speakers in healthcare clinics. The social factor of language, therefore, prevents some from gaining access to care. It can be a root cause of misunderstandings, misdiagnoses, inadequate treatment, or no treatment at all. Some people do not realize the barrier that language can be—but it is all too real for many who do not speak the common language of the majority (Palmer-Wackerly et al., 2020).

In addition to language, the social factor of discrimination and bias against minority groups can be a cause of unequal treatment within the healthcare system. Due to a perception of bias, Hispanics may be reluctant to seek treatment. Prejudice breeds fear, and represents yet another barrier to equitable health outcomes (Palmer-Wackerly et al., 2020).

Cultural factors also contribute to health inequities. Cultural beliefs and practices can sometimes prevent people from seeking medical care in a time of need, or from adhering to prescribed treatments if they are out of step with traditional customs or practices (Windsor et al., 2022). Some cultural norms may put emphasis on using traditional ancient remedies instead of using modern medicine or modern interventions. If there is no trust in modern care, the culture typically has something to do with it. The outcome is that care is delayed. Likewise, family situations can affect healthcare decisions and access, since, i many cultures, family roles and responsibilities can dictate who in the family gets to obtain care, which can, again, delay necessary medical attention.

Environmental factors are also impactful for low-income families. Poor housing quality and overcrowded living conditions contribute to health problems like respiratory issues and infectious diseases. Low-income neighborhoods tend to have a high exposure to pollution, which can cause existing health conditions to become worse and can even increase the risk of developing new health issues (Jbaily et al., 2022). These types of situations add to the overall health disparities experienced by such communities.

Economic factors can be the biggest contributors to health inequities, simply because financial burdens tend to limit access to healthcare, to nutritious food, to green spaces where there can be exercise, and to other necessities helpful for maintaining good health. Many low-income families hold jobs that do not provide health insurance benefits, which makes it difficult for families to afford medical care or preventive health services.

Positive Impacts

In spite of the negative aspects of SDOH there can be some positive impacts on individual health. Strong community networks and social support can sometimes be found in these communities, which may in turn be a source of emotional and social support. Also, the adversity experienced by these communities can help to build resilience. These communities may have good strategies for how to cope with various problems or illnesses, which can support good mental health.

Negative Impacts

However, the negative impacts of SDOH tend to outweigh the positive impacts. These would consist of delayed care, chronic stress, and limited access to care. Limited access to care can mean no regular check-ups and no preventive services. It can mean that health issues that might have been caught and treated early are instead allowed to worsen and become complicated and dangerous. This gap in preventive care worsens health disparities, making it harder for low-income families to achieve good health. That is why it is so important to address these negative impacts and why it requires strong strategies that improve access to care and thus address the root causes of so many health inequities.

Global Impact

The Healthy People 2030 Social Determinants of Health Workgroup has set a goal of increasing access to comprehensive, high-quality healthcare services (Pronk et al., 2021). The goal is for access to healthcare to be improved as it is so fundamental to improving health outcomes themselves and thus reducing disparities. If all people have access to the care they need, it will be a more equitable healthcare system, especially as comprehensive, high-quality healthcare refers to treatment for illnesses as well as to preventive services and health education.

St. Mary's Community Health Clinic is dedicated to addressing the healthcare access needs of low-income families in Miami, as it lines up with the Healthy People 2030 goal. The clinic wants to reduce the health disparities of poor access to care by way of different steps it is taking. These steps consist of expanding clinic hours, offering transportation services, hiring Spanish-speaking providers, and implementing mobile health units to reach underserved areas. These initiatives are set up to make healthcare more accessible and convenient, and thus encourage more people in the community to seek care. The idea is that by reducing barriers and improving access, St. Mary's Community Health Clinic can help to improve overall community health.

Initiative

The proposed solution is to establish a mobile healthcare unit with Spanish-speaking healthcare providers who can give accessible and affordable medical services in the underserved areas of Miami. This solution will help to improve access to healthcare by reaching people who may be experiencing transportation barriers, language barriers, or financial barriers. It will be offering on-site medical care and screenings. It will make it easier for the community to have regular check-ups and preventive services. The mobile unit can help identify health issues earlier, and thus save on costs associated with emergency care. Plus, the mobile unit will help to build trust between providers and patients through community engagement, which can also be supported by health education and the encouragement of healthy behaviors.

Advocacy Method

To support the establishment of a mobile healthcare unit, there will be a public awareness campaign. The target audience will be local community members, local government and policymakers, and healthcare providers. For local community members, the campaign will focus on educating them about the availability and benefits of the mobile healthcare unit. This education will include information on the services provided, the locations the unit will visit, and how it can improve their health outcomes. The campaign is to increase community engagement and utilization of the mobile unit's services.

For local government and policymakers, the campaign will show the need for funding and support for the mobile unit initiative. This aspect of the campaign will use data and personal stories to show the impact of the mobile unit on community health, and how it can reduce healthcare costs and improve public health. The campaign will also target healthcare providers to get participation in the mobile unit's efforts.

Influential Factors in Advocacy

The success of the advocacy campaign among the local population may be influenced by historical mistrust in the healthcare system. This mistrust can affect the community's willingness to engage with the mobile unit. To counteract this bias, the campaign will emphasize the mobile unit's commitment to community-oriented values and its dedication to serving the underserved. Through the attention given to this issue, the campaign can be able to improve acceptance and trust within the community.

As an advocate, personal commitment to social justice and health equity will support the advocacy work, and this commitment will also help with lining up the initiative with ethical standards and goals. The belief in the importance of preventive care and early intervention will guide the campaign, and will be expressed in the benefits of the mobile unit in providing timely and essential healthcare services.