Nearly 40% of Americans did not utilize medical care in the United States, and this number is greater in other parts of the world. According to the World Health Organization, almost half of the global population did not have access to healthcare, and 100 million people were pushed to extreme poverty because of health expenses. This is unacceptable; healthcare is a need for society, and the lack of access to medical services needs to change.
There were a multitude of reasons for why people did not seek healthcare, but there seems to be a common trend. The most blatant reason for why society does not want to see a doctor immediately is because they are embarrassed or have a fear of being judged. They do not want to nag the doctor with something that may be swept under the rug, and do not want to be told that it is all in their head. However, preventative health care is incredibly effective; it promotes better health by empowering patients to make healthy decisions. The majority of people who don't actively seek healthcare are worried about the high costs and expenses. People who live below the poverty line are more than double the risk of death, than those who can afford health expenses. The last reason is that they simply have not found a doctor they like yet. There are different factors that come into play when choosing a primary care provider such as the experience they have, whether they have similar lifestyles/backgrounds, if they felt understood by their doctor, and more. It's important that people consider all these preferences, but ultimately getting to any doctor is the most important thing.
If you recognize a loved one in this description of those avoiding health services, please help them by having a direct conversation and understanding potential barriers that they might have in their personal life. If there are ways you can help, such as offering support, providing transportation, or assisting with finding a doctor, let them know you're ready to lend a hand.
I am taking next steps to raise awareness on this issue and to begin an effective initiative, I need more people in this effort. If you would like to contribute/volunteer, please comment on this post or reach out privately through the contact me page, and I will reach out to you as soon as possible. Thanks for reading!
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Good one, Vesna!! Excellent initiative. It would be great if you focus on underprivileged. Count me in.
Great job Vesna!!! It is important to raise awareness and promote healthy living. Keep up this fantastic work. Count me on and i would love to be part of this initiative.
Good initiative...keep going Vesna all the best...