September 14, 2023- For all the recent advances in healthcare, health equity is a growing problem in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines health equity as “the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health.” There are several ways to do this, but the most powerful way to push health equity across the country is to increase access to primary care.
Primary care is designed to address the mental and physical health needs of the patient, through one-on-one interactions with a team of health professionals. In fact, these primary care visits are often the first touchpoint for any patient concerns – appointments with primary care physicians can lead to further coordination across the spectrum of care.
The report found that increased access to primary care can provide several important health benefits: early detection and treatment of conditions, better management of chronic disease, and more complete immunization (especially in recent years). While these benefits are important to anyone looking after their own health, they are especially important for the elderly and economically or socially marginalized groups experiencing high burdens of preventable illness.
Read more in the latest issue of Repertoire Magazine.