The ethical issues surrounding access to healthcare, including disparities in healthcare access and resources.
Health Disparities: Differences in health outcomes among different social and demographic groups.
Health Equity: The idea that everyone should have an equal opportunity to achieve good health.
Social Determinants of Health: Factors such as income, education, and social support that influence health outcomes.
Cultural Competence: The ability to provide healthcare services that are respectful and responsive to the cultural beliefs of patients.
Health Literacy: The ability to read, understand, and use health information to make informed decisions.
Health Care Access: The ability for individuals to obtain appropriate medical services when needed.
Quality of Care: The degree to which healthcare services meet the needs and expectations of patients.
Patient-Centered Care: The idea that healthcare providers should prioritize the needs and preferences of patients.
Health Care Reform: Efforts to improve the affordability, accessibility, and quality of healthcare services.
Medical Ethics: The study of ethical issues that arise in healthcare, such as informed consent, confidentiality, and end-of-life care.
Socioeconomic: Refers to the correlation between income levels and access to healthcare services. People with lower incomes may not be able to afford doctor's visits, medications or health insurance.
Geographical: Refers to the difficulty some people face in accessing healthcare services due to their location, whether rural or urban. Limited access to healthcare facilities, lack of public transportation, and long distances to travel can all present barriers.
Racial/Ethnic: Refers to disparities faced by people of color when accessing healthcare services due to systemic inequalities in the healthcare system. These disparities can include discrimination, mistrust, and bias from healthcare providers.
Gender: Refers to disparities faced by women in accessing healthcare services due to cultural, social, and economic factors. These disparities can include differences in treatment, access to contraception and maternity care, and a general lack of gender sensitivity from healthcare providers.
Age: Refers to the discrepancies faced by young children, elderly people, and seniors as they age due to complex health care costs and economic barriers, which restrict their access to quality health care.
Language and Cultural barriers: Refers to differences in language and cultural backgrounds of patients and healthcare providers that may result in a lack of communication, misunderstandings, and inadequate care.