Introduction
During the ongoing global pandemic, the heightened vulnerability of individuals from black and south-Asian ethnic backgrounds to severe outcomes from COVID-19 has been a primary concern. The disparities are not only attributed to exposure risks or living arrangements; they are deeply rooted in health inequalities. What caught my attention was not solely the statistical disproportionality but the systemic roots of these health inequalities. The discussion of this study encompasses an in-depth analysis of the prevalence of chronic health conditions within minority ethnic groups, exploring the multifaceted intersections of health, ethnicity, and socio-economic factors.
While the article alludes to exposure risks and living arrangements, the primary focus will delve into the complex web of health inequalities. Areas excluded from this discussion involve specific statistical data or localised incidents, as the aim is to present a broader analytical framework. Addressing the vulnerability of minority ethnic groups to severe COVID-19 outcomes requires a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between health conditions, socio-economic factors, and the accessibility of support services. This paper intends to answer the question, “How can a multifaceted approach, informed by stakeholder perspectives and theoretical frameworks, effectively mitigate health disparities among minority ethnic groups in the ongoing pandemic?
Description
Primarily, this case study focuses on the notably increased occurrence of chronic health conditions within minority ethnic groups, leading to a heightened susceptibility to severe consequences stemming from COVID-19. The author draws a reader’s attention to an essential correlation by demonstrating the connection between health conditions, socio-economic factors, and significant differences in access to support services. The key stakeholders in this research are minor ethnic groups, medical providers, policymakers, and public health agencies (Watkinson et al. 2021). The primary issue arises from the fact that chronic health conditions are more prevalent in minority ethnic groups that, in turn, increase the susceptibility to severe or death outcomes of COVID-19. As noted by Otu et al. (2020), the relationship between ethnicity, socio-economic status, and health outcomes is quite complicated, necessitating a thorough understanding of the intricate issues of these populations. Given the complexity of the issues facing minority ethnic groups in society, it is imperative to adopt a comprehensive research methodology that addresses the matter to ensure a proper and effective solution. Understanding the complexities of the health-socioeconomic factors relationship and acknowledging the importance of the influential stakeholders develop a holistic vision that is needed to create adequate countermeasures and policies to resolve the present challenges. Ensuring equal health through Fair representation of every individual by eliminating the system barriers and advancing health across communities should be provided.
Discussion
Major value issues that are in the focus in this case are rising rates of chronic diseases among minority ethnic populations, leading to a very high susceptibility to severe COVID-19 outcomes. Out of the core socio-economic issues underlying here, this web of health inequities causes immeasurable disparities in accessing critical support services. One health concern for this topic is the presence of chronic diseases in minority ethnic groups. According to Katikireddi et al. 2021, the heterogeneous incidence of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or obesity among these communities makes them more vulnerable to adverse or highly severe outcomes of COVID-19 infections. Being a systemic challenge linked to social determinants, this topic is a case of a social epidemic that not only health individuals but also crosses racial differences in health disparity. Another significant issue is socio-economic factors that determine the health condition of the people as well as the availability of vital support services. Burström and Tao (2020) reveal that minority groups settle in socially deprived areas with low-income people and have access to healthy diet foods, green spaces and or gyms. The general context of health in these communities reveals the correlation between socio-economic situations and health outcomes. The third important point is inequities in upholding support services. The survey results show that representatives of racial minorities, especially the Asiatic population, had lower confidence in health management and scored less on the positive GP survey experiences than their white peers. Greenaway et al. (2020) observe that these differences in service delivery and support further magnify the challenges that minority ethnic communities have in staying healthy.
Critical stakeholders that can solve these problems are patients who fall victim to health disparities in minority ethnic groups, healthcare providers who provide care, policymakers who create healthcare systems, and public health organisations who guide interventions. Understanding how these stakeholders perceive and interpret the situations is essential for developing culturally appropriate solutions that can help eliminate barriers of health disparities among minority ethnic groups.
Some theoretical frameworks that help to support an understanding of the health inequality among minority ethnic groups include the Social Identity Theory, Labelling theory and the Health and Social Care Act. Social Identity Theory assumes the person’s identity is associated with social groups and the problem of belonging to social communities such as ethnic communities; culture takes a central point in it (Katikireddi et al. 2021). In the health disparities field, the approach leads to a better understanding of the challenges regarding access to proper healthcare that underprivileged ethnic groups experience due to their specific social identities. Labelling theory highlights the role of social labels and stereotypes in shaping people’s health experiences. When it comes to minority ethnic groups, the tendency to label specific communities as more predisposed to certain health problems not only contributes to their identity as a community but also may influence their perception of who they are. These labels might have a stigmatising effect on the communities and affect their health-seeking behaviour. The Health and Social Care Act also creates a legal framework for healthcare policies and services ((Health and Social Care Act 2012). Understanding the nature of this act is vital to realising how healthcare delivery fits the intended goals of ensuring a fair and accessible healthcare system.
Key stakeholders’ opinions offer valuable insights into formulating effective solutions (Burström & Tao 2020). Members of minority ethnic groups can lobby for more cultural sensitivity within health services, ensuring that healthcare practices are adapted to meet the needs of different cultures. The realisation of the necessity for cultural competency training may also occur among healthcare providers when trying to understand and manage health obstacles faced by minority ethnic patients. As a result, policymakers could emphasise broad system changes aimed at minimising the socio-economic gaps, as health outcomes are always intrinsically connected to social and economic conditions. This diversity of opinions reveals the difficulty of the matter and the need for a proposed solution that allows the consideration of the different views of various stakeholders. Developing functional solutions requires the consideration of these views and also finding a delicate balance that can achieve cultural accessibility in healthcare services and broader systemic changes to nullify socio-economic disparities.
Among the essential strategies to tackle health inequalities within minority ethnic groups is the re-investment in culturally inclusive healthcare services that will ensure the specific components of healthcare practices are adapted to meet the considerable needs of people from minority backgrounds. This approach relies on the social cognitive theory that functions in terms of observational learning and social influence in behavioural growth. According to this theory, improving cultural integration into the healthcare system increases the rate of healthy behaviour adoption by people because they seem to know that their culture is included and appropriately appreciated (Morales and Ali, 2021). Another essential solution is the management of socio-economic determinants in the origin of health disparities. It entails addressing the inequalities of income, education, and standards of living that result in a high prevalence of chronic diseases among minority groups. It is a prescriptive solution based on the Human Rights Act, which supports the rights to build and access health care and the need to use healthcare facilities with a sense of fairness (Human Rights Act 1998).
Additionally, the other one focuses on health literacy, which gives consumers the power of choice over their health-related decisions. It is beneficial in that intervention measures such as health literacy have a positive effect as they bridge the information gap, enabling effective navigation of the health system. This solution, whose basis is on the social cognitive theory, establishes the idea of mental processes that guide the embracement of health behaviour change. As Otu et al. (2020) emphasise, health literacy creates new abilities to properly judge, evaluate, and respond to health information that is useful for better health. It is essential to uncover and address both the cultural, socio-economic, and systemic sources of the problems to enable effective transformation that becomes sustainable over time. Application of Theoretical frameworks such as Social Cognitive Theory, as well as those derived from the Human Rights Act, can result in the mitigation of symptoms, identification of the determinants of health inequality and, therefore, creation of a more inclusive and equal health environment for minority ethnic people.
Consequently, the best solution to closing the gap in disparities between minority ethnic groups is to address healthcare services and socio-economic determinants of health together and use an inclusive approach. This strategy includes two initiatives: Cultural-pegged healthcare delivery practices and policy formularies must be part and parcel of mitigating social disparities. Culturally sensitive healthcare services form an integral part of this preferred option. As Greenaway et al. (2020) suggest, providing healthcare structures that accommodate the various cultural needs of minority ethnic groups creates an environment where people feel accepted and respected. Thus, they would be prone to take healthy behaviour practices. This theoretical inclination supports the Social Cognitive Theory, which posits that observational learning and social influence determine human action. Creating healthy practices that individuals should practice in prevention as a lifestyle creates a more inclusive health environment where individuals are aware of these healthy practices, the notice-motivate-improve relationship that positively improves health outcomes in people.
Moreover, addressing socio-economic determinants that form the basis of health disparities is necessary. The policies directed toward minimising social injustices t, steered by the values of equity and justice, promote better health outcomes. The Social Cognitive Theory supports the proposition that by changing the social determinants, such as the gap between relatively poor people and people who are relatively well-off or the availability of education, an individual’s ability to self-regulate and engage in positive health practices will improve. Katikireddi et al. (2021) argue that more equitable access to resources and opportunities leads to the general improvement of the well-being of minority ethnic and reduces the rate of chronic diseases and the vulnerability toward adverse outcomes of COVID-19. The holistic methodology recognises the interrelated nature of cultural inclusiveness in healthcare delivery and the reduction of social disparities through system changes. Integrating the Social Cognitive Theory in this solution aims to establish a healthcare model that treats health conditions and addresses the underlying determinants to achieve a more balanced and equal healthcare system for minority ethnic groups.
CONCLUSION / RECOMMENDATION
To address health disparities within minority ethnic communities, an all-inclusive approach is necessary involving health care provisions and socio-economic factors. The selected solution, in addition to Socio-Cognitive Theory, emphasises the need to create conditions that support positive health behaviours. Although sources for this discussion were acceptable, more research should be necessary in this field, especially regarding post-interventions, including the implementation efficacy of interventions. Future studies should address some of the difficulties minorities face when accessing healthcare services, an approach that would serve the purpose of health equity.
In conclusion, the discussion highlights the intertwined nature of health injustices and the need for a holistic approach. Meanwhile, the best practice is multidimensional, demanding collaboration in investment in culturally sensitive healthcare services and simultaneously targeting socio-economic determinants. This approach is crucial in ensuring that improvements in the health outcomes of minority ethnic groups can be sustained and equitable.
In addition, there is a need for further research in this area because of the complex nature of breaking long-established health inequalities. Sourcing information for this discussion was relatively manageable; however, future research should concentrate on the complex issues that minority ethnic groups, especially in healthcare, face to facilitate and improve intervention strategies.
References
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