Identification of population (Canada-Women population)
Health issues related to this population
Policies/ laws positively/ negatively affecting population
Historically, what has nursing organizations done to advocate for this population?
Influence of Affordable Care Act on this population?
As a nursing advocate for this population, explain what is your specific main concern that you feel our health policies should address with this population that is presently lacking?
Identify a government politician with their address who you could write to advocate for this group. What office do they hold? Why is this politician a good choice for this population?
Compose a letter to that government individual outlining your concerns and what you would like that government person to do (vote yes or no for some up-coming supporting legislation) or lobby for a new policy?
Abstract
This is a Health Policy, Advocacy, and Politics Analysis Paper into health care privileges enjoyed by Canadian women residing in my state, United states of America and internationally. After a thorough investigative analysis a letter will be forwarded to a government politician explaining the system of marginalization encapsulating this population in an effort for them gaining access to facilities to remove them from this underprivileged position.
Canada-Women population
Ontario, Quebec, North Columbia and Alberta are the mostly populated states in Canada. In Ontario and Quebec women accounted for more than 75% of the population according to 2010 census. North Columbia and Alberta estimates for the same period revealed an additional 13% and 11% respectively, taking the women and girls percentage way into the eighties in comparison to males being 17-20% of the total population. Aboriginal women make up 4.2% of the Canadian women population (Statistics Canada, 2010).
With regards to the immigration impact on Canada’s women population 2006 census figures showed where 20% of women were immigrants. Since then more female immigrants are being admitted to Canada than males. Further this same 2006 census revealed that 2.6 million women belonged to the visible minority group. Classifications according to ethnicity showed that Chinese and south Asians were the largest amount with black ranking third. ‘Filipina (9.0%), Arab and West Asian (7.6%), Latin American (6.0%) and Southeast Asian (4.7%)’ (Statistics Canada, 2010, p 91) follow the marginalized group ranking after black women (Statistics Canada, 2010).
Health issues related to this population
With reference to mental health among sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ) Canadian women research has revealed that this category of women have specific mental health needs which are not addressed by the Canadian health care system. The assumption is that evaluation of health is associated with gender. Consequently women who happen to demonstrate gender qualities inconsistent with that assigned at birth pose a challenge for health care providers. Along with this identity misconception most women suffer for lack of appropriate mental health evaluation. Therefore, the sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ) a distinct minority among Canadian women minority profile. Arguments have been that there are no pathological studies providing evidence bases solutions to the mental health irregularities manifested by this minority group (Ross, 2013).
Policies/ laws positively/ negatively affecting population
Marginalized women in Canada have been classified visible minorities. In the opening paragraphs statistics pertaining to this group was presented. Canadian Employment Equity Act defines visible minorities as "persons, other than Aboriginal people, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in color" (Hamilton, 2008, p.1). The American equivalent of visible minorities relates to people of color.
Kinch and Jakubec (2004) conducted studies, which revealed that there are multiple margins among Canadians. The researcher asked the question; what are older women’s experiences with the Canadian healthcare system? How do they manage their health and access health care? The study was conducted in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Participants were 32 Canadian women between the ages of 65–83. Fourteen were Caucasian, 11 Ismaili, 3 Aboriginal, and 4 Japanese. Women were interviewed in groups 3-11 in number for about an one and a half to two and a half hours (Kinch & Jakubec, 2004).
Three themes were highlighted in the research. They were femininity, relationships, and means of support. Results revealed that older Canadian women took care of their health care needs privately with limited health insurance coverage and supported by family, friends and voluntary organizations. However, visible minority, older and being a woman definitely affected access to quality healthcare within the society since there are no health care policies protecting this marginality among visible female minority groups (Kinch & Jakubec, 2004).
Further studies conducted by Amankwah, Ngwakongnwi and Quan (2009) regarding, why many visible minority women in Canada do not participate in cervical cancer screening? The objective was determining a high-risk group of visible minority women in Canada who do not participate in cervical cancer screening and the reasons for non-participation. After interviewing a represented sample of Canadian visible minority women through Canadian Community Health survey researchers concluded that cultural beliefs and insufficient access to health education regarding health care policies and laws were prohibiting marginalized minorities from receiving quality health care (Amankwah, Ngwakongnwi & Quan, 2009).
Historically, what has nursing organizations done to advocate for this population?
Historically, Canada health care system has been free with private sector dispensation. Marginalized women have always been classified among visible minorities. Along with immense barriers related to social determinants of health these categories of women have either been denied quality health care through misinformation about services or mere ignorance of the availability within their communities. Nursing organizations seemed focused on secondary health care interventions. Minorities have been excluded from primary healthcare ventures even when public health measures could have been enforced to allow compliance with health care regulations (Amankwah et.al, 2009).
Besides, health care history among Canadians shows where only the poor were cared for in hospitals. The rich were provided health care in their homes through private doctors, nurses and attendants because they could pay out of pocket. The 1966 Medical Care Act allowed more access for marginalized population such as women to health services through government intervention. However, nursing organizations have not been in the forefront advocating for marginalized Canadian women in the population (Kinch & Jakubec, 2004).
Influence of Affordable Care Act on this population
The Affordable Care Act is a United States regulation signed into law by President Obama. Its focus is to improved health care quality and affordability by providing health insurance coverage, appropriate premium rates the uninsured. It is also expected to expand public and private insurance coverage subsequently reducing increasing healthcare costs for both individuals and government (Frenk, 2010).
Since this is an American and not Canadian legislation it can only address visible minorities residing in Canada, but it is not applicable to Canadian citizens. However when compared to legislations pertaining to Canada’s 1966 Medical Care Act the goal seemed to be the same. Kinch and Jakubec (2004) studies did reveal that despite the Medical care Act marginalization in relation to women’s health existed, especially, in the absence of adequate insurance coverage. Even though health care is free in Canada Medicare/ Medicaid does not cover many services and marginalized women would have to pay out of pocket for care not covered through the government healthcare system (Kinch & Jakubec, 2004).
Specific main concern
Dr. Lori Ross (2013) identified in the analysis that Canadian mental health among sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQ) have specific mental health needs, which are not addressed by the Canadian health care system (Ross, 2013). My main concern is quality health care among marginalized Canadian women population, which accounts for 2.6 million of them belonging to the visible minority group. Hence, while singularly mental health policies are inadequate, health care regarding breast cancer and pap smear should be enforced though profound health education promotion intervention.
Mental health screening should be mandatory among marginalized women especially, among the visible minority female populations. Marginalization affects self-esteem and subsequently distorts mental, physical and social well-being. These women ought to be taken into programs that investigate their mental physical and social health on a regular basis. World health organization defines health as just not merely the absence of disease, but total physical and mental well-being. Marginalized Canadian women population deserve the privilege of total physical, mental and social well-being through adequate healthcare services (WHO, 2013)
Identification of a government politician
Marie Charette-Poulin
Canadian Senator, Ontario Canada
This politician is a good choice for this population because she is a woman, who experienced some marginalization in her community.
Letter to Senator Marie Charette-Poulin
24th October, 2013
Marie Charette-Poulin
Canadian Senator
Ontario Canada
Canada- Marginalized group- Women population
Dear Madam,
I write to you on as a nurse advocate behalf of this Canada- Marginalized group- Women population. Currently, they are for 2.6 million of them belonging to the visible minority group living in the four mostly populated states in Canada Ontario, Quebec, North Columbia and Alberta.
The major concerns are breast cancer and pap smear screening. While these services are available many of these women refuse to access them due inadequate health promotion programs educating them concerning the importance of taking these tests. In 2011 some 84,800 Canadian women were diagnosed with breast cancer. Approximately, 35,100 women died from the condition due to lack of knowledge. Hence health promotion education is significantly lacking. Mental health appropriateness is another major concern among gender minorities (LGBTQ) with specific mental health needs.
Please use the power invested in you as a Canadian senator and woman to address these crucial women health concerns. Thanking you in anticipation,
References
Amankwah, E. Ngwakongnwi, E., & Quan, H. (2009). Why many visible minority women in
Canada do not participate in cervical cancer screening. Ethn Health, 14(4),337-49
Frenk, J. (2010). The Global Health System: strengthening national health systems as the next
step for global progress, Plos Medicine, Vol 7(1); 3
Hamilton, Graeme (2008). Visible minorities the new majority. National Post.
Kinch, L., & Jakubec, S. (2004). Out of the multiple margins: older women managing their
health care. Can J Nurs Res 36:90–108.
Ross, L. (2013). Mental health among sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ) women:What are
the issues? Lana School of Public University of Toronto.
Stout, M. Kipling, G., & Stout, R. (2001). Aboriginal Women’s Health Research Synthesis
Project. Centers of Excellence for Women’s Health Research Synthesis Group.
Statistics Canada (2010). Population Projections for Canada, Provinces and Territories, 2009 to 2036. Catalogue no.91-520-X
