In recent times, there has been an overwhelming amount of concern on ethnic and racial disparities in health, in the United States. However, there are still numerous amounts of questions that still need to be answered. There has been a variety of forums that present and evaluate evidence that indicate the relationships that occur between racism, ethnicity, diversity in culture and behavior, and socioeconomic status. Williams (2007) feels that “these statuses dictate the level of health concern, among many Americans”. The relationships depicted in these reports influence my opinion on racism, diversity, and health.
Disparities in health statuses reflect, to a large extent, inequities in health care and treatment. Many poor Americans, and immigrants are more likely to receive health care as compared to rich Americans, but they receive limited care. In my opinion, race and diversity should not be a point of reference when it comes to health care and treatment. Certainly, the difference that occurs on the levels of treatment given to any individual should be based on different concepts; clinical characteristics, biological or medical perceptions, and levels of income. Race should play an independent role in defining the quality of health that one should be accorded (Williams, 2007)
My influence on this opinion lies on the observable trends in lack of clear establishments of culturally indiscriminative health care, in America. Linguistic barriers have been perceived as discriminatory elements to health care. Local communities have been denied equal access to health care as other Americans. The issue continues to create a gap between whites and blacks and in unequal resource distribution across all corners of the country.
The government under spends on the minorities Medicaid leaving them to suffer due to lack of sufficient health care. Racism and diversity should not act as factors considered when issuing such services. The government should focus on creating a balance on health aid to all citizens without considering their cultures, beliefs, values or ethnic backgrounds. In my opinion, therefore, communities should focus on unison, and not on racial differences. The government should promote equal resource distribution, and uniform health care provision. Everyone should have the freedom to choose on the level of health care needed. The levels of income should be the dictating factors on health care rather than racism.
Comparative analysis
The government has been facing challenges in establishing clear standards for competent health care (Williams, 2007). Policy makers are on the idea that culture and beliefs plays a crucial element in determining the mode or level of health standards that every individual should receive. This is an agreeable policy since every person has a racial belief that prohibits one from doing one thing or another. In fact, a close analysis indicates that diversity in race contributes to varied services provided in most health facilities in the country. This explains why there are such racial disparities in health care.
“To some extent, this argument may be accepted since to some extent, racism dictates whom to socialize with, associates, and ones customs” (Kosoko-Lasaki, Cook and O'Brien, 2009). However, it should not go to such an extent of health care. Being superior or inferior should not be used as a weapon to discriminate some people from receiving sufficient and proper health care. Health knows no boundaries, race, color, superiority or minority, and, therefore, should be considered as a basic need to every human being. Denying proper health care on the basis of diversity and race means denial of human rights and justice. In addition, creating this divide implies promoting racism and discrimination to society. This implies that the effects or problems that lie behind racism and diversity will not be solved, and will remain an issue of debate.
Effect of this opinion to society.
Supporting this opinion may be taken as positive in some communities while it may be considered negative by some people. However, having policies that do not discriminate on race or ethnic backgrounds is a support of human rights, which should not be compromised under any perspective. Most Americans are of the view that they should receive the best services from the Federal Government on issues pertaining health care, but this should not apply to people from other ethnic backgrounds. This is one of the contributing factors between the differences between the whites and blacks. The whites discriminate the blacks, no matter how they strive to fight for their rights.
Supporting this opinion, therefore, may imply support from some Americans, while some may not support the idea. In a local or community perspective, the idea can be easily assimilated without any significant effects on interaction and integration. This is because people living in one community tend to accommodate a common perspective than in a holistic view. As indicated by Kosoko-Lasaki, Cook and O'Brien (2009) “Local communities have the will and urge to work together without any consideration on the racial backgrounds but when the governments imposes the divisions on them, the issue affects the interaction process”. The implication is that having a common policy that supports uniform health care would support community integration rather than having unequal health measures.
Reference.
Top of Form Kosoko-Lasaki, S., Cook, C. T., & O'Brien, R. L. (2009). Cultural proficiency in addressing health disparities. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Williams, R. A. (2007). Eliminating healthcare disparities in America: Beyond the IOM report. Totowa, N.J: Humana Press.
