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- All Subjects: Health Disparities
- Creators: Reddy, Swapna
Description
Objective: To explain the origins of the pediatric asthma cluster present in south and central phoenix, and propose potential solutions to combat this cluster. Methods: A comprehensive literature review of the different factors that contribute to asthma starting at a national level and working down to the Maricopa county level was conducted. Afterwards a literature review of past pediatric asthma intervention case studies was conducted. The results of both literature reviews were synthesized in regards to applicability in south and central phoenix. Results: A combined targeted intervention in health care delivery, patient/clinician education, and housing status/infrastructure could yield promising results in regards to combatting the pediatric asthma cluster in south and central phoenix.
ContributorsOmole, Toluwa Daniel (Author) / Reddy, Swapna (Thesis director) / White, Adrienne (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
Introduction: Health disparities for the Native American population in the United States have been well documented for years. Native Americans face many barriers to healthcare access, including low socioeconomic status, historical trauma, and lack of access to healthcare facilities. Barriers to healthcare and challenges associated with achieving optimal health among Native Americans contribute to health disparities within these populations. If these barriers are to be overcome, they must be understood and addressed. Purpose: The purpose of this review was to identify barriers to healthcare access for Native American populations as well as strategies to address barriers. Method: A preliminary scan of several online databases was conducted. Key terms used in the search included American Indians, Native American, healthcare, healthcare access, health disparities, barriers, and intervention. Articles were selected based on relevance, and data from each chosen article were extracted and categorized. Results: The initial search resulted in 272 articles of potential interest. Based on the abstract review, 32 were deemed relevant, and full text reviews were completed. Based on the full text review, an additional 10 articles were excluded, resulting in a final review of 22 articles. The articles addressed barriers related to various health conditions: cancer treatment, drug or alcohol use, maternal and child health, historical trauma, diabetes and chronic illnesses, and oral health. Conclusion: Native Americans face several barriers to healthcare access that are associated with social, physical, and mental health disparities. Successful efforts to address these barriers include patient-centered, culturally-competent interventions. Others include interventions which focus on community involvement.
ContributorsMohamed, Hebah (Co-author) / Mohamed, Hitham (Co-author) / Coplan, Bettie (Thesis director) / Reddy, Swapna (Committee member) / School for the Science of Health Care Delivery (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12
Description
In Arizona black women have a preterm birth rate of 40% higher than any other women. Black women in Maricopa County have the highest incidence of low birthweight and preterm birth. Preterm birth has been linked to cerebral palsy, blindness, cognitive difficulties, and ultimately, infant mortality. Preterm birth is defined by the World Health Organization as delivery of an infant before 37 weeks of gestation. Low birth weight is defined as 1500g or less with extremely low birthweight being 1000g or less. Infants with low birth weight contribute disproportionately to infant mortality. Chronic, toxic stress is a heavy contributor to the racial health disparity of preterm birth and low birth weight. Chronic stress may affect preterm birth by dysregulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, altering the release of cortisol, leading to altered immune function, thus increasing infection and inflammation response (Giuregescu et. al). Studies have shown racial injustice is related to inflammatory stress response. This stress is exacerbated by the long history of injustice and neglect in healthcare due to implicit bias. Recommendations for improvement of this disparity includes cultural competency training for all healthcare professionals and mindfulness yoga training paired with Focused Support Groups for pregnant women for reducing racial stress.
ContributorsOfori, Shana (Author) / Reddy, Swapna (Thesis director) / Cox, Deborah J. (Committee member) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Arizona children covered by AHCCCS experience increased poor oral health outcomes in comparison to their higher-income counterparts despite receiving comprehensive dental service coverage under the state Medicaid program. The dental health disparities consistently present among this population allude that other barriers are in place preventing pediatric AHCCCS recipients from accessing guaranteed dental care. This thesis addresses the gaps faced by AHCCCS recipients in utilizing dental insurance coverage on behalf of provider availability in proximity and time. A “secret shopper” study was executed to reveal the accessibility barriers experienced by AHCCCS patients in comparison to privately insured patients and the adequacy of AHCCCS contracted providers in maintaining availability for this population. Based on the collected data, AHCCCS patients generally experience increased lengths of time until the next available appointment in comparison to the privately insured, suggesting that despite AHCCCS contracting, there are not currently adequate protective standards ensuring that child AHCCCS patients receive equitable opportunity for good dental health. Furthermore, this study revealed the significant obstructions to accessing dental care for rural Arizonans covered by AHCCCS, as four separate counties were notably found to not have a single AHCCCS provider. State policy must evolve to better support this demographic in achieving equitable oral health, working towards the relief of social determinants oppressing the wellbeing of lower-income families regarding distance to contracted practices and provider availability for the population of AHCCCS recipients.
ContributorsZiegler, Madison Brooke (Author) / Reddy, Swapna (Thesis director) / Speer, Matthew (Committee member) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05