Gap Between Health Disparities Research

Cultural competence has acquired attention as a potential strategy for the purpose of improving and eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health care sector. At the time of treating the patients, consideration should not be given to person’s race or ethnicity because that might increase risk of having other diseases (Baquet, 2002). It is essential to bridge the gap prevailing in health disparities because that not only hampers the health aspects; but also it changes the efficiency of health care standards. In order to build bridge to bring communities together, it is essential to put collaborative and dedicated efforts. Further, it also requires great understanding of the natural and man made forces that interact over time.Gap Between Health Disparities Research

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In most of the ways, bridging and eliminating the gaps in health disparities takes the same efforts in which health care practitioners should give equal importance to all the health aspects. Social, cultural and religious beliefs are considered in health care sector; but at the same time it also develops gaps in the same domain (Bridget Booske, Stephanie Robert and Angela Rohan, 2011). Thus, regarding this several research papers have been used in the part of discussion so that to highlight their area of concerns. Moreover, in the study, information has been included regarding the areas where differences occur while delivering health care and medical services.Gap Between Health Disparities Research

Results

In order to complete the section, researcher has utilized several journals that depicts different aspects related to health care disparities. The study done by Kirkwood (2016), emphasizes on health disparities that persist in the U.S for a variety of reasons (which includes lack of proper access to care, cost and caregiver biases). In the study, discussion has been laid on role of clinical laboratories in reducing health care disparities (Kirkwoodm, 2016).

However, apart from this, other study conducted by Chin (2007) (pp. 78-228), is also utilized in the present study because it gives information about a conceptual model for intervention that aims to reduce disparities (Chin and et. al., and 2007) (pp. 78-228). Using this model as a framework, researcher has also focused on other interventions through using cultural leverage and pay per performance measures. Thus, in the study global conclusion (regarding the current state of health disparities interventions) have been stated.

In addition to this, the present research paper also includes Brady’s (2007) (pp. 53-6), study which shows the concept of evidence based practice (EBP) to gain credibility and acceptance in health professional community (Brady, 2007) (pp. 53-6).

Besides this, information has been included from Lopez and et.al. (2011), which mentions that racial and ethnic disparities in health care have been continuously documented in the areas of diagnosis and treatment both. Besides an uneven level of implementation, researcher has also demonstrated that health information technology is useful in improving quality of care and patient’s safety aspects (Lopez and et. al., 2011).Gap Between Health Disparities Research

The study of Ferguson (2005) (pp. 46-54), states that from past several decades, many international development agencies have broadened their activities and portfolios for the purpose of facilitating more development in health care sector (Ferguson, 2005) (pp. 46-54). However, the study also denotes that many efforts are build up by the health care communities to bridge the gap and most of them have failed to meet the objectives.

The study of Betancourt (2005), is also considered for the present research work which states that health care stakeholders are developing initiatives to manage cultural competence. In this study, interview has been conducted with experts in cultural competence from managed care, government for the purpose of ascertaining the perspective of health care. Along with this, it also includes recent trends in cultural competence in health care policy, practice and education (Betancourt and et al., 2005).

On the contrary, study conducted by Egede (2006), is also utilized in the present research report which provides new insight to the sources that contributes to the racial and ethnic disparities in health care sector. Hence, in this study cross sectional analysis has been conducted regarding 54,968 respondents for the purpose of assessing relationship between perception of health care discrimination and use of health services (Egede, 2006).Gap Between Health Disparities Research

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Moving on to the research work of Booske (2011), it can be articulated that health care entities should improve public awareness regarding health disparities. In the research work, little research has been done regarding awareness of racial and ethnic disparities prevailing US public. In this study, survey has been conducted to get responses from 2,791 US adults (Bridget Booske, Stephanie Robert and Angela Rohan, 2011). Moreover, researcher also used χ2 tests and logistic regression to compare the correlation of respondent’s awareness about health care disparities.

Moreover, researcher has also utilized the research work of Olivia Carter and Claudia Baquet (2002), which focuses on several approaches for measuring disparities in health care sector. It states that health care disparities can be measured by comparing the health of one group with other groups. The study seems to be highly useful for the present research work because that gives answers for several research questions (Olivia Carter and Claudia Baquet, 2002). Along with that, policy implications are also discussed in the study from several health perspectives.

Discussion

In the section of discussion, chief importance needs to be given on cultural values and dimensions that creates major differences in health care sector. There are various reasons that generates health disparities in US and it also increases risk factors for patient’s health. It has been observed that health disparities extracts financial cost which also enhances financial burden on those families who are unable to afford it (Dubiel et al., 2010). It is essential for medical health care practitioners to pay attention towards health disparities because that aids in enhancing the standard of medical services. Minority patients have lower process of care setting and they also have lower utilization of major medical procedures. In this regard, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has published an annual disparities report which provides brief overview and data about both quality of care and its access. Racial and ethnic minorities experience poor quality of care as compared to whites in several care measures.Gap Between Health Disparities Research

On the contrary, Hispanics receive poorer quality of care when it is compares to non-Hispanic whites in 77% of these measures which also includes 73% African Americans, 41% American Indians and Alaska natives and 32% of Asian Pacific Islanders. Health care disparities have a multi-dimensional etiology which also depicts health system, challenges in service delivery and beliefs of patients. Henceforth, in this respect quality improvement has been regarded as an important strategy which reduces or eradicates health care differences. There are several causes of health disparities in which socio economic status plays major role. Income as well as education attainment on average are lower for ethnic and minority groups; hence this restricts them to avail better medical services (Olivia Carter and Claudia Baquet, 2002). There is a direct link between poverty, low education attainment with poorer health outcomes (with increased mortality). People who do not have high income attainment experiences more issues while availing health care services. Additionally, higher socio economic groups have recently achieved greater improvements in managing health status as compared to lower socioeconomic groups.Gap Between Health Disparities Research