According to several instruments for evaluating healthcare quality, such as AHRQ Quality Indicators, the world has experienced healthcare quality and disparities for many decades (AHRQ, 2022). The report delivered by the National Health Care Quality and Disparities Reports (2019) states that mental health is a crucial aspect of WHO’s the definition of health. It enables individuals to realize their capabilities, cope with their stressors, enhance their productivity and performance, and contribute significantly to their communities (AHRQ, 2022). That is why healthcare legislation and policies support individuals with mental disorders. The paper will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the healthcare legislation that supports individuals with mental disorders. It will also assess the necessary steps to empower this group and their families, which will help eliminate or reduce health disparities. Moreover, the discussion will center on the federal/state policy intervention to reduce health disparities.
The Strengths and Weakness of the Current Healthcare Legislation and Policies that Support Individuals with Mental Illnesses
Strengths
The first strength entails Universal Health Coverage which the group will benefit from regardless of their gender, age, socioeconomic aspects, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation, among other factors. According to the policy, people with mental disorders will have access to healthcare and social services to help them gain recovery and the highest standard of health available. The second strength involves the group getting Evidence-based practice services that focus on the individual needs (AHRQ, 2022). They will also have access to effective healthcare strategies and interventions for treatment and prevention that will rely on scientific practice inclusive of cultural considerations. The third strength is that the policies are meant to empower persons with mental illnesses and those with psychological disabilities. The strategy will help them feel motivated and dare to realize their potential.
Weaknesses
One of the weaknesses involves the implementation of the policies and legislation. Most action plans usually remain in the planning stage since the personnel involved fail to implement whatever they have discussed. And if implemented, they do not usually follow every procedure to the latter. The second weakness involves mental health coverage, which undergoes several barriers such as workforce shortages where the staff are few, limiting quality service delivery (CDC, 2013). The third weakness is coverage that is not accessible to many nations, making it a great challenge to fund mental disorders and related conditions due to unaffordability. Other weaknesses include stigma, access to care, knowledge gaps such as quality of care, and variation in practice.
Steps to Empower Individuals with Mental Illnesses and their Families to Improve Health Outcomes and Reduce Health Disparities
The first step entails strengthening effective leadership and governance for mental health. This will help straighten things and ensure the group gets the needed care that is cost-effective and accessible. Effective leadership will connect with both governmental and non-governmental organizations, including the community at large (CDC, 2013). This will help the group and their families develop more effective and accountable laws and services that align with the international and regional human rights tools. As a result, it will help the group to get quality care to improve their health outcomes and decrease health disparities. The personnel involved would have utilized, and compiled knowledge and best practices, provided relevant support and collaborated with stakeholders to ensure people living with mental illnesses are well-taken care of in the best way possible.
Federal/State Policy Interventions to Reduce Health Disparities
Both the federal and state have worked together to ensure they develop interventions that will help reduce health disparities, such as eliminating socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities in health and healthcare and enhancing easy access to health-related services to the vulnerable group like people living with mental disorders. Socioeconomic factors play a crucial role in promoting health disparities. For instance, people belonging to a higher social class and are economically fat are prone to receive the best health services compared to those in the middle and lower class category. Race/ethnicity also contributes to the same as studies have proved that the white race is more privileged than the other races (ODPHP, 2021).
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References
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD.(2022). National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports. Retrieved from, https://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/nhqrdr/index.html
CDC.(2013). CDC Health Disparities & Inequalities Report 2013. Retrieved from, https://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/CHDIReport.html
ODPHP (2021). Healthy People 2030 Seeks Public Input on Proposed New Objectives. https://health.gov/healthypeople
SPENT. Retrieved from, https://playspent.org/html/
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