Health equity is emerging as an important term and theory to understand what is necessary not for only health reform but for health itself. This site (http://www.unnaturalcauses.org/resources.php) offers a wealth of excellent information and resources. The primary factors that shape the health of Americans are not medical treatments or lifestyle choices but rather the living conditions they experience.
Access to healthcare is one determining factor for health but a larger determinant is one’s zip code.
Very shortly, the Supreme Court will be ruling on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. As we wait for this decision, Florida v. Sebelius offers a short primer on what's at stake in this case, including the arguments pro and con for each provision before the Supreme Court. To read more click here.
Regardless of the outcome the fractions and factions will remain as an aspect of the Presidential campaign. What is worse is the impact on many Americans with less than adequate health access and services.
Much of the debate related to the Affordable Care Act centers on the constitutionality of the “individual mandate” that will require one to purchase health insurance. In reality, many individuals are already mandated for illness and early death. Click here to view a promo for an excellent documentary and resource for discussions and the class room. http://www.unnaturalcauses.org
Epidemiologist Sir Michael Marmot states, "Real people have problems with their lives as well as with their organs. Those social problems affect their organs. In order to improve public health, we need to improve society." He goes on to ask, “How do we understand the causes of the causes?” In essence how do we ask new questions?
For example:
Conventional question: How can we promote healthy behavior?
Health equity question: How can we target dangerous conditions and reorganize …policies to ensure healthy spaces and places?
Conventional: How can individuals protect themselves against health disparities?
Health equity: What kinds of community organizing and alliance building are necessary
to protect communities? (http://www.ok.gov/health/documents/What%20is%20Health%20Equity.pdf, cited June 11, 2012)
What questions might you come up with and how might we together begin to find the answers? Please respond by creating and sending your questions behind the questions.
Doug Ronsheim, AAPC Executive Director