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The COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated an important problem of American society – healthcare inequality. Available data shows considerable disparity between the number of confirmed cases among white patients and representatives of minorities (Johnson & Johnson, 2020, 0:47). The same observation is true for the comparison of deaths and illnesses between these groups. Although healthcare inequities are evident, there are different approaches to addressing inequality. Reforming society is possible via more exposure of diverse groups to each other or by correcting the legal framework as well as the policies of healthcare facilities to address inequality.
The first point of view regarding the need for reform emphasizes the disproportionate rate of illnesses among non-white patients. For instance, it has been established that “more than half of the COVID cases are within the African American population” (Johnson & Johnson, 2020, 00:10). Considering that the remaining percent encompasses Hispanic, Latino, and other minorities, the number of white cases is significantly lower. The subsequent problem that has to be addressed is the quality of healthcare, which minorities receive.
It is reasonable to suggest that the better care patients are exposed to, the lower the rate of subsequent hospitalizations. This implies that healthcare facilities should implement policies aimed at achieving greater diversity. For example, it is possible to increase the number of representatives of minorities in healthcare staff. If non-white patients cannot commit to the treatment proposed by a white physician, then it might be useful to have a non-white specialist attend to them. An alternative option is to set up diversity training courses for nurses and physicians. Health outcomes will improve drastically once patients and medical staff learn to trust each other.
The second viewpoint on the need for reform accentuates insufficient access to healthcare by minorities. One of the common complaints is that non-white people “have to work more than one job” while “getting paid sick leaves is an issue” (Johnson & Johnson, 2020, 1:10). While addressing this problem, it is important to understand that legally, every person is entitled to the same rights. Discrimination may be systemic, but it is not instituted via laws. In essence, it is the decision of employers and insurance providers to violate the rules regarding minorities.
There are two strategies for solving unequal access to healthcare. The first is to raise awareness of violations with the aim of bringing regulatory bodies to overview such issues. Once an employer is found guilty of discriminate hiring or disproportionate compensation, they will be forced to provide adequate working conditions for disenfranchised workers. The second strategy is to implement paid sick leaves, while retaining a job on a legal level. In the same way, Families First Coronavirus Response Act allowed affected workers to take two weeks off, such provisions would also help minority workforce.
In conclusion, laws and policies aimed at fostering diversity reduce inequality, while mutual trust prevents it from happening. The quality of healthcare is directly related to the level of trust between patients and medical workers. Ensuring indiscriminate hiring and exposure of diverse groups to each other will improve health outcomes. Meanwhile, raising awareness of discrimination at workplace and implementing laws protecting the right to a paid sick leave will enable equal access to healthcare. Ultimately, health inequities are a continuation of larger racial controversies that have to be addressed both legally and socially.
Reference
Johnson & Johnson. (2020). Why racial disparities in healthcare Make COVID-19’s impact worse for minorities | Johnson & Johnson [Video]. YouTube. Web.
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