Initial Post

Influence of access, cost and quality on the social determinants of health

People are born or live in conditions that significantly impact their health. In this regard,

where one is born, attends school, and finds employment constitute the social determinants of

health, which affect the opportunities for access, cost, and quality of healthcare. For example,

most people from poor backgrounds lack insurance coverage. Besides, Rakshit et al. (2023)

argue that even those with coverage still find healthcare costs increasingly unaffordable. In turn,

the majority of them would delay or avoid seeking care because of cost. The research by Rakshit

et al. also found that 43% of adults had a family member putting off or postponing access to

needed health care because of cost. Furthermore, the fear of the associated burden limits access

to quality care. In turn, different social determinants of health result in a large number of

Americans going without important care such as dental and mental health

Health issues associated with health disparities and the social determinants of health within

the US healthcare industry

Health disparities are closely associated with social inequities that are influenced by

various intervening health-related mechanisms, such as healthy behaviors, early life conditions,

and environmental exposure. In this regard, population health monitoring has been used to

document health-related data based on the disparities presented by different subgroups. Health

differentials and inequities are also analyzed according to societal characteristics that inform

public policy interventions. The availability of data about health issues linked to the social

determinants of health has, therefore, enhanced the understanding of changes in population

health in different geographic areas, culminating in effective evidence-based policies (Lopez et

al., 2022). People of color, for example, tend to experience high rates of illness, which eventually
limits the overall nation’s health. Addressing the causes of health disparities can help prevent

further economic losses initiated by premature deaths.

The importance of cultural competency as a healthcare manager

Social determinants have emerged as the main reasons behind disparities in access to

quality health care. As a healthcare manager, one must pay attention to patients’ cultural

backgrounds to ensure access to optimal care (Kaihlanen et al., 2019). Healthcare managers are

key in the integration of cultural competency in healthcare settings. In this sense, the leaders

must ensure adherence to cultural competence principles. They should set the tone for others to

follow in all departments. Besides, the show of cultural competency should extend beyond the

healthcare environment to communities via public outreach activities targeted at vulnerable

cultural groups.

Cultural competency among healthcare managers can help achieve successful mediation

when cultural misunderstandings arise between nurses and patients. The healthcare manager’s

role-modeling and ability to promote cultural competence further motivates nurses to develop

communication and relationship-building skills (Kaihlanen et al., 2019). To achieve cultural

competency, healthcare managers need to engage in lifelong learning to understand different

choices, worldviews, and decision-making processes presented in the different cultures of

consumers. It is also important to ensure that nurse colleagues are educated about the cultural

differences of healthcare consumers.

 References

Kaihlanen, A.-M., Hietapakka, L., & Heponiemi, T. (2019). Increasing cultural awareness:

Qualitative study of nurses’ perceptions about cultural competence training. BMC

Nursing, 18(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-019-0363-x

Lopez, K. N., Baker‐Smith, C., Flores, G., Gurvitz, M., Karamlou, T., Nunez Gallegos, F.,

Pasquali, S., Patel, A., Peterson, J. K., Salemi, J. L., Yancy, C., & Peyvandi, S. (2022).

Addressing social determinants of health and mitigating health disparities across the

lifespan in congenital heart disease: A scientific statement from the american heart

association. Journal of the American Heart Association, 11(8).

https://doi.org/10.1161/jaha.122.025358

Rakshit, S., McGough, M., Amin, K., & Cox, C. (2023, January 30). How does cost affect access

to healthcare? Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker.

https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/cost-affect-access-care/#Percent

%20of%20adults%20(age%2018%20years%20and%20older)%20who%20report

%20delaying%20and/or%20going%20without%20care%20due%20to%20costs