Healthcare Access Disparities in Underserved Communities (Research Proposal Sample)

Healthcare Access Disparities in Underserved Communities Table of Contents Purpose Statement.3 Significance3 1.Selection Rationale and Field of Study Relevance:3 2. Program Outcome Reference3 3. Mini-Literature Review4 4. Importance According to Research4 Scope5 Delimitation5 Terms6 Chapter 2: Literature Review7 Introduction7 Causes of Health Disparities8 Poverty8 Unequal access to healthcare8 Individual and behavioral factors9 Lack of insurance coverage10 Impact on Population Health and Well-Being11 Identified Solutions14 Ethical and Policy Issues Related to Health Care Access Disparities15 Summary17 Chapter Three: Recommendations18 Lessons Learned20 References26 Chapter 1 Purpose Statement. This paper examines and addresses the problem of healthcare access disparities in underserved communities. The study examines healthcare infrastructure constraints that prevent underprivileged populations from getting healthcare. The expected outcome is to gain a thorough understanding of the disparities in healthcare availability between the underprivileged and other communities (Alcendor, 2020). Significance 1 Selection Rationale and Field of Study Relevance: Investigating healthcare access disparities in underserved communities is essentially tied to its significance in the Health and Human Services Administration, my chosen area of study. This issue is crucial as it directly aligns with Program Outcome 1, emphasizing the critical role of operational management and leadership in fostering organizational sustainability and excellence (Alcendor, 2020). By exploring the systemic barriers hindering equitable healthcare access, this research aims to contribute substantially to the goals of Program Outcome 1, which encompass respectful engagement, governance system development and management, evidence-based issue resolution, and strategic program planning. 2. Program Outcome Reference This research directly addresses Program Outcome 1, focusing on operational management and leadership for organizational sustainability and excellence. The study aims to fulfill the program's goals by exploring barriers to healthcare access and proposing solutions that demonstrate respectful engagement, effective governance, evidence-based issue resolution, and strategic program planning. 3. Mini-Literature Review * Northridge et al. (2020): Disparities in Oral Health Care Access The study by Northridge et al. (2020) underscores the intricate relationship between socioeconomic status and health disparities. It reveals that individuals from low-income backgrounds and ethnic minorities are more likely to experience poor oral health. The findings emphasize that poor dental health has become a national social inequity symbol. The research establishes crucial links between general health issues such as diabetes and obesity and oral diseases like tooth caries and periodontal disease. This connection is rooted in shared risk factors, including tobacco use and excessive sugar intake, as well as underlying infections and inflammatory pathways. * Cyr et al. (2019): Healthcare Access Gaps in Underprivileged Populations Cyr et al.'s (2019) study underscores the urgency of addressing healthcare access gaps to achieve long-term, high-quality healthcare outcomes. The research highlights the many challenges underprivileged populations face in accessing healthcare, transcending geographical and population disparities. This emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding and targeted interventions to bridge healthcare access inequities. 4. Importance According to Research The literature reviewed highlights the importance of addressing health care access disparities. Northridge et al. (2020) position poor oral health as a national symbol of social inequity, emphasizing the connection of oral health with broader health issues. Cyr et al. (2019) further reinforce the urgency by emphasizing the numerous challenges underprivileged populations face in accessing healthcare. The research collectively underscores the vital need for strategies to comprehend and address healthcare access inequities, aligning with the overarching goals of Program Outcome 1. Scope Focus of the Literature Review: The literature review in this study will extensively cover the various aspects of healthcare access disparities in impoverished areas. The primary focus will be on exploring systemic barriers, including but not limited to geographic challenges, inadequate healthcare facilities, and economic constraints. This comprehensive examination aims to shed light on the intricate relationship between these barriers and their impact on organizational quality and sustainability, aligning with the objectives of Program Outcome 1. Delimitations: What the Research Will Not Include: While the research aims to provide a thorough analysis of healthcare access disparities, certain delimitations exist. The study will not delve into the micro-level analysis of individual health outcomes or specific medical conditions prevalent in these underserved communities (Alcendor, 2020). It will not extensively address cultural or social determinants impacting healthcare access, as the primary focus remains on systemic barriers. By clearly defining these delimitations, the study maintains a focused approach to systemic factors that directly contribute to healthcare access disparities. Delimitation An in-depth discussion of the requirements and realities of disadvantaged communities will be included in this article, along with a discussion of the differences and potential solutions. Rather than focusing on specific medical procedures or treatment regimens, the focus will be on the more significant structural issues affecting healthcare access (Alvidrez et al., 2019). The study will not be particularly concerned with healthcare practices at the individual level, but instead, its objective will be to highlight the many challenges that entire communities face. The research will not provide a full intervention road map but will provide basic insights for future studies and initiatives aimed at bridging the healthcare access gap. This research project's well-defined boundaries and careful approach to scope ensure a focused and substantial examination of the chosen topic, creating a way for a more distinct understanding of healthcare access disparities in underrepresented communities. Terms Healthcare Access Disparities: Differences in the availability and accessibility of healthcare services between underserved communities and other communities (Alcendor, 2020). Underserved Communities: Communities characterized by factors such as poverty, lack of funding, limited healthcare access, and infrastructure (Manuel, 2018). Operational Leadership: The ability to construct and manage governance systems to implement organizational vision and resolve issues based on evidence (Alcendor, 2020). Stakeholder Relationships: The Identification and Fostering of Relationships to Achieve Operational Goals (Manuel, 2018). Chapter 2: Literature Review Introduction Access to healthcare is one of the most important factors affecting personal and public health. This discussion will elaborate on the problem of poor healthcare provision and related disparities in underserved communities, especially in rural areas. Rural residents face numerous obstacles when trying to get quality treatment on time. This issue is connected to positive health results (Manuel, 2018). This literature review explores and analyzes different aspects of healthcare access disparity for underserved communities within rural environments. It deals with the complexities and obstacles underprivileged groups encounter when accessing quality healthcare (Brewer et al., 2020). More importantly, this review is closely related to the research objective, which identifies healthcare access gaps within low-income groups compared to others. A review of the literature in this paper covers descriptions of what healthcare access is and why it matters to attain good health results. It explores why people are unhealthy and how social conflict, economic status, and behavior determine this (Barnett et al., 2018). This assessment addresses how poor health insurance coverage affects healthcare access and examines the consequences of inequitable healthcare on people's health status (Chunara et al., 2021). This literature review will form the basis for a detailed study of issues concerning providing healthcare access to poor populations (Bambra et al., 2020). Defining Healthcare Access: Before delving into the actual discussion, it is also worth mentioning that in 1993, the National Academies presented their report titled Access to Healthcare in America, defining "access" as "timeliness of using personal health services aimed at achieving an optimal state of health" (Churchwell et al., 2020). Causes of Health Disparities According to Williams & Cooper (2019), systemic conflict, a lack of resources, and how those resources are distributed to meet the population's needs are the main causes of health inequalities (Northridge et al., 2020). The government allocates healthcare resources and services to various states and localities, with some receiving greater access than others based on their socioeconomic standing (Brewer et al., 2020). People who are mostly below the poverty line will almost certainly receive health care from the government. Since so many people need to see doctors, government-issued care is scarce. Some patients won't even be seen at all, or they won't get the care they need (Alvidrez et al., 2019). Because ethnic groups predominate in these impoverished places, it is easy for prejudices about them to arise, which can prevent doctors from acting impartially and equitably on behalf of their patients. They may opt not to seek out any additional medical care because they feel unsafe. Poverty One major contributin...