Overview of two selected special populations found on the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Chart drawn with information from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality websites.
The chart above is a pictorial representation of an assessment of exclusive health indicators including health behaviors, exploitation of health services, and certain health conditions. The basis of which is to indicate the level of disparity that exist in American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) community. This is evaluated alongside data from Hispanic, Black White and Asian natives in the United States. The chart shows data from adults of over 18 years (with and without disabilities), and special needs children.
It is eminent that disparity exists between adults from the AIAN and those from other ethnic groups within the US. From, the chart it is evidence that AIAN adults are disadvantaged in many ways. They have poorer health, limited access to healthcare due to high cost; they are at a high probability of having diabetes and heart conditions. In addition, they are more likely to be, smokers and drinkers compared to other ethnic groups (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 50).
Research by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality indicate that disparity exists due to certain critical issues. These entail limited access to affordable healthcare including health insurance, illiteracy especially on matters pertaining health, and lack of sufficiently equipped, in terms of facilities and medical practitioners healthcare centers in rural areas (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 285).
However, the government is striving to ensure every citizen has access to health care services and information. It has been able to eliminate disparities to certain degrees according to the national healthcare disparities program. For instance, the healthy people target in 2010 was 96%, which is a significant improvement from 86.1% of 2006. This can be identified from the chart above.
Works cited
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. “National healthcare disparities report”. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2008. 22/01/2014. www.ahrq.gov
CDC. “Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities. American Indian and Alaska Native Populations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention”. 22/01/2014. ”www.cdc.gov/omhd/ Populations/AIAN/AIAN.html
