Access to quality health care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Access to quality health care - Essay Example Inequality in health status has plagued the minority population in the United States for more than fifty years. Despite rampant inequalities, there is no single root cause for the disparities. While class differences play a major role in the delivery of health care in the United States, race is also an important issue which needs to be properly explored. Seeking to address the particular health challenges facing African-Americans living in the most prosperous country on the planet, this essay will explore the particular health issues afflicting African-Americans and look at the approaches presently in place to solve the question of persistent health inequality in America today. In the United States, health insurance coverage ensures that there is financial means by which basic health care can be accessed (Paulin and Dietz, 1995). Individual comprehensive health insurance plans depend on an individuals’ age, level of employment, residency, and race/ethnicity. Studies have shown that African-Americans do not receive the same care even if they have the same government funded insurance as their white counterparts, such as Medicare. For example, in a study conducted by the Brown and Harvard Medical Schools, researchers found that there were significant racial disparities within Medicare plans. In addition, they found that the quality of care was a factor concerning race and ethnicity among Medicare beneficiaries. This suggests that in addition to access to care, quality of care is different among ethnic groups. To this extent, racial difference in coverage may influence health disparities and inequities within the healthcare system (Williams J., 2005). Medicare is a federal government funded insurance program for disabled young adults, persons above the age of 65, and those with permanent disabilities who become eligible for Social Security. A

Questions to be answered (memo 11) Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Questions to be answered (memo 11) - Coursework Example Coughing also allows for foreign things to be spit out of the lungs protecting the body. The diaphragm is a vital organ for human respiration and is a dome-shaped muscle situated below the lungs. When inhaling, the diaphragm pushes downwards resulting in the creation of a vacuum allowing air to be sucked into the lungs. When exhaling the diaphragm pushes outward and downwards resulting in the carbon dioxide being forced out of the lungs. The downward, upward, and outward movements of the diaphragm are responsible for the breathing in humans making the main functions of the diaphragm to be inhaling of fresh air and expulsion of carbon dioxide from the lungs. The other role of the diaphragm is to separate the abdominal cavity from the chest cavity. The urinary system consists of kidneys, urethra, bladder, and ureters that collectively perform several functions in the body. The urinary system functions include blood PH regulation, regulation volume and pressure of blood, waste elimination, and electrolytes and metabolites level control. Vitamin D synthesis and red blood cells production are the other functions undertaken by the urinary tract system. The nephron refers to the structural and functional kidney unit tasked with filtering blood to ensure the concentration of soluble substances like salts and water concentration is optimum. The main functions of the nephron include removal of excess water and other unwanted substances, regulate the amount of sodium, phosphate, phosphorus, and potassium, secretion of glutamate, solutes, and carbohydrates. The nephron also functions in reabsorbing of substances needed by the body before excreting the remains as urine. Regulation of blood pressure, blood PH, volume, and control of electrolytes and metabolites levels in the blood are the other functions of the nephron. E. I found particular confusing that the functions of