Social Determinant of Health

St. Mary's Community Health Clinic, located in Miami, Florida, serves low-income families within the community in Miami. The social determinant of health (SDOH) that will be discussed in this paper is access to healthcare.

Access to healthcare is a significant social determinant of health that affects low-income families in Miami (Taylor et al., 2021). These families often face barriers such as lack of insurance, transportation issues, and limited availability of medical facilities, leading to disparities in health outcomes.

Health Inequity Factors

Social factors contribute to health inequities among low-income families in Miami, as many of these families are Hispanic and experiencing language barriers that keep them from communicating well with English-only speakers in healthcare clinics. The social factor of language, therefore, prevents some from gaining access to care. It can be a root cause of misunderstandings, misdiagnoses, inadequate treatment, or no treatment at all. Some people do not realize the barrier that language can bebut it is all too real for many who do not speak the common language of the majority (Palmer-Wackerly et al., 2020).

In addition to language, the social factor of discrimination and bias against minority groups can be a cause of unequal treatment within the healthcare system. Due to a perception of bias, Hispanics may be reluctant to seek treatment. Prejudice breeds fear, and represents yet another barrier to equitable health outcomes (Palmer-Wackerly et al., 2020).

Cultural factors also contribute to health inequities. Cultural beliefs and practices can sometimes prevent people from seeking medical care in a time of need, or from adhering to prescribed treatments if they are out of step with traditional customs or practices (Windsor et al., 2022). Some cultural norms may put emphasis on using traditional ancient remedies instead of using modern medicine or modern interventions. If there is no trust in modern care, the culture typically has something to do with it. The outcome is that care is delayed. Likewise, family situations can affect healthcare decisions and access, since, i many cultures, family roles and responsibilities can dictate who in the family gets to obtain care, which can, again, delay necessary medical attention.

Environmental factors are also impactful for low-income families. Poor housing quality and overcrowded living conditions contribute to health problems like respiratory issues and infectious diseases. Low-income neighborhoods tend to have a high exposure to pollution, which can cause existing health conditions to become worse and can even increase the risk of developing new health issues (Jbaily et al., 2022). These types of situations add to the overall health disparities experienced by such communities.

Economic factors can be the biggest contributors to health inequities, simply because financial burdens tend to limit access to healthcare, to nutritious food, to green spaces where there can be exercise, and to other necessities helpful for maintaining good health. Many low-income families hold jobs that do not provide health insurance benefits, which makes it difficult for families to afford medical care or preventive health services.

Positive Impacts

In spite of the negative aspects of SDOH there can be some positive impacts on individual health. Strong community networks and social support can sometimes be found in these communities, which may in turn be a source...

…aspect of the campaign will use data and personal stories to show the impact of the mobile unit on community health, and how it can reduce healthcare costs and improve public health. The campaign will also target healthcare providers to get participation in the mobile unit's efforts.

Influential Factors in Advocacy

The success of the advocacy campaign among the local population may be influenced by historical mistrust in the healthcare system. This mistrust can affect the community's willingness to engage with the mobile unit. To counteract this bias, the campaign will emphasize the mobile unit's commitment to community-oriented values and its dedication to serving the underserved. Through the attention given to this issue, the campaign can be able to improve acceptance and trust within the community.

As an advocate, personal commitment to scial justice and health equity will support the advocacy work, and this commitment will also help with lining up the initiative with ethical standards and goals. The belief in the importance of preventive care and early intervention will guide the campaign, and will be expressed in the benefits of the mobile unit in providing timely and essential healthcare services.

Political organizations' support for the mobile unit initiative can be influenced by biases and political agendas. These biases can impact the level of support and funding available for healthcare initiatives. To address these challenges, the campaign will use evidence-based arguments and highlight the cost-effective outcomes of the mobile unit. In lining up the initiative with broader public health goals and showing its potential to improve community health, the campaign can attract political support. Showing how it supports public health objectives…