Improving Health Equity: Addressing Healthcare Access for the Poor

This project focuses on the impact of poverty on healthcare access and health equity, specifically targeting low-income households as a vulnerable population. It identifies key social determinants of health, such as employment conditions, inadequate early child development programs, and health system limitations, which contribute to the poor health outcomes in this group. The primary health issue is identified as poverty itself, limiting access to essential healthcare services, medication, and routine screenings. The project proposes a SMART goal to achieve health equity by making healthcare services more affordable and accessible, leveraging government resources to support the community's needs. References to evidenced-based simulations and community-oriented practices are included to support the analysis and proposed solutions.

Running Head: POVERTY 1
Poverty
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POVERTY 2
Poverty
Population Overview
The vulnerable population chosen were low-income households. The individuals from
these households range from newborn to elderly. This population also has both male and female
gender. The education levels of this population are low, as many people could not afford to gain
a good education. Due to the low income, they are unable to afford many services, and some
products are considered a luxury.
Social Determinants of Health
One of the social determinants of health for the chosen population is employment
conditions. The majority of the individuals in this population work under deplorable working
conditions; some of them depend on odd jobs in order to obtain a living. They are always faced
with the threat of unemployment. Another social determinant is inadequate early child
development programs. According to the World Health Organization's social determinants of
health, opportunities that are provided to young children play a significant role in shaping their
health and development status throughout childhood, and even adulthood. In this population,
there are inferior early child development programs (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2013).
Health systems are another social determinant that significantly influences the health of
this population. Due to the low incomes, the population is unable to afford the healthcare
services being offered. Some resolve to self-treatment, which may not be as effective. There is a
need for innovative strategies that will allow this vulnerable population to afford the healthcare
services being offered.

POVERTY 3
Health Issues
The primary health issue in this population is poverty. Lack of funds limits the number of
services which the individual can have access to, which also includes healthcare services. Most
individuals living in poverty are unable to afford proper medication for various illnesses. In some
illnesses, the medication requires several drugs, which can be very costly to the patient. Some of
these drugs should be taken for an extended duration of time. Most individuals in low-income
families are unable to buy the full dosage of the medication. Some individuals opt to buy half a
dose rather than not buying the medication at all. This process, however, causes more harm than
good, especially in antibiotics. A half dose can make the bacteria in the body resistant to the
drug, thus requiring stronger antibiotics that are more expensive (McKenzie & Noone, 2018).
Lack of funds also results in the individual not undergoing the required routine screening.
Attending routine screening is essential because it helps in the early detection of illnesses, thus
beginning early intervention methods. Routine screening also helps to monitor the progress of
existing conditions. In chronic illnesses such as diabetes, routine screening is essential to ensure
that the blood sugar level is being monitored and to ensure that the insulin medication is as
effective (McKenzie & Noone, 2018).
Smart Goal
The smart goal for this population is to attain health equity by making healthcare services
more affordable and easily accessible. The outcome will be improving health status in this
vulnerable group. The goal can be achieved using the various resources provide d by the
government. The goals will support the needs of this community.

POVERTY 4
References
McKenzie, G., & Noone, J. (2018). Using Evidenced-Based Simulations to Enhance Care of
Vulnerable Populations.
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2013). Foundations of nursing in the community: Community-
oriented practice. Elsevier Health Sciences.