Running head: HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES AND HEALTH CARE POLICY
Health Care Disparities and Health Care Policies Affecting the Elderly Population
Elizabeth Boeve
Ferris State University
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HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES AND HEALTH CARE POLICY
Abstract
Many vulnerable populations face health disparities that arise from social determinants. The
elderly population is one of those vulnerable populations. The increasing number of elderly
people living in America often lack access to adequate health care services due to income,
provider bias and lack of social support. Health care policies and programs, such as Medicare,
play a role in impacting the health disparities of the elderly population.
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HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES AND HEALTH CARE POLICY
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Health Care Disparities and Health Care Policies Affecting the Elderly Population
The elderly population living in America faces many health disparities. The health
care needs of the elderly population is often overlooked or ignored because of the cost of caring
for the elderly is so high. This increases the disparities and negatively impacts the health of the
elderly population. If the health disparities of the elderly can be reduced the elderly population in
America can live a longer healthier life.
Population and Health Care Disparity
The number of elderly people living in the United States has increased throughout the
years. In 2012 13.3% of the population was over 65 years old. It is projected that by 2030 over
19% of the population in the United States will be over 65 years of age (Department of Human
Health & Services, 2013). While the number of elderly living has increased health disparities
among this population still exist (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). Many of
the elderly population do not receive adequate health care. Most of this can be attributed to lack
of money, lack of transportation and provider bias. The older population is more at risk for
chronic conditions such as heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. These conditions require
education and life-long management by a healthcare provider. Without proper health care these
conditions can cause a decrease in the quality of life. Decreasing the social determinates and
eliminating the health disparities this population faces will enable the elderly to remain healthy
longer and increase the quality of their life.
Social Determinants
Income
One of the social determinants the elderly population faces is the income they live off,
especially the elderly in rural areas. The income for elderly living in rural areas is “up to 20%
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less than their urban counterparts” (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012, p. 374). The median income for
those 65 years and older in the United States in 2010 was $25,704 for males and $15,072 for
females (Administration on Aging, 2012). The major sources for income for the elderly are
Social Security and pensions. Almost all elderly Americans in 2010 were covered by Medicare
insurance which pays about 50% of health care services, leaving the other 50% to be covered by
another health insurance policy or the individual (Administration on Aging, 2012). Low income
makes it harder for someone to gain access to adequate health care causing a health disparity.
Health Services
The elderly population often experiences lack of health services. This can be attributed to
doctor’s bias, cost of health care and lack of transportation (Fitzpatrick, Powe, Cooper, Ives, &
Robbins, 2004). Many elderly suffer from chronic conditions that need to be managed by a
health care provider. Unfortunately, because of the cost and inability to make it to appointments
the elderly do not receive this care and are at greater risk for decreased health and increased
hospital stays.
Social Support Networks
It is noted that people who receive support from family, friends and communities are
healthier (Administration on Aging, 2012). Many elderly people lack this support. The children
they have raised are busy raising their own families and do not have time to take care of their
elderly parents. Friends have either died or have declined and cannot provide support.
Communities often view the elderly population as more of a nuisance rather than providing them
with support (Span, 2012). Without support the elderly are at risk for loneliness which often
leads to depression which in turn leads to a decrease in health.
Health Care Policy
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There are many policies in place that affect the healthcare the elderly population receives.
One of these policies is Medicare. Medicare is a program that offers insurance to those 65 years
and older. This program allows for the elderly to have insurance and enables them to receive
treatment for their chronic conditions. Unfortunately, Medicare reimburses doctors at a lower
rate than other insurance companies causing many doctors to be reluctant to accept older patients
or treat them aggressively (Forlini, 2010). The elderly people who have only Medicare are left
with high co pays that they often cannot afford because of their limited income. There are
policies within Medicare that are intended to help the low income elderly population, such as
Medicare part D. This program is intended to provide prescriptions to the elderly at low cost
(Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, n.d.). Policies that affect access to healthcare and
cost of healthcare have an impact on the health disparities of the elderly population.
Contributing Factors to Disparities
In many countries the elderly are revered and treated as such, unfortunately in America
the elderly population is treated quite differently. In the United States many view the elderly as
unimportant and more as a nuisance (Span, 2012). Policy makers may look at the high cost of
taking care of the elderly population and not want to support programs that enhance the life of
this population. It is estimated that “it costs about four times the amount of dollars to treat a 65
year old for health care in a given year than it does to treat a 40 year old” (National Care
Planning Council, 2013). Social bias towards this population contributes to the health disparities
this population encounters.
There is no easy fix to eliminate the health disparities of the elderly population. Even
though it may not be easy policy makers, health care providers and the American population as a
whole should work together to decrease the disparities. If America can decrease their bias toward
HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES AND HEALTH CARE POLICY
the elderly population and see that they do play a vital role in making the country better than the
social determinants can be decreased and the health disparities eliminated.
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References
Administration on Aging. (2012). A Profile of older Americans:2011. United States Department
of Health and Human Services. Retrieved April from http://aoa.gov Center for Disease
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Drug coverage (Part D). In The Official U.S.
Government Site for Medicare. Retrieved from http://medicare.gov
Control and Prevention. (2014, March 21). Health Disparities. In Healthy Aging. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/aging/disparities/
Department of Health & Human Services. (2013, December 31). Profile of Older Americans:
2012. In Administration on Aging. Retrieved from
http://www.aoa.gov/Aging_Statistics/Profile/2012/3.aspx
Fitzpatrick, A., Powe, N., Cooper, L., Ives, D., & Robbins, J. (2004, October). Barriers to health
care access among the elderly and who perceives them. American Journal of Public
Health, 94(10), 1788-1794. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1448535/
Forlini, V. (2012, January 25). Trend: Doctors more reluctant to accept Medicare patients. In
Fierce Health Care. Retrieved from http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/trenddoctors-more-reluctant-accept-medicare-patients/2010-01-25
Harkness, G.A. & DeMarco, R.F. (2012). Community and public health nursing: Evidence for
practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
National Care Planning Council. (2013). About Medical Care for The Elderly. Retrieved
from
http://www.longtermcarelink.net/eldercare/medical_care_issues.htm#american_perspecti
ve
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Span, P. (2012, January 12). Age discrimination takes its toll. The New York Times. Retrieved
from http://nytimes.com
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