Many United States residents live on the margins of society. Often they are minorities, lower-income, non-English speakers, migrants, veterans, disabled, or elderly. Their access to healthcare is obstructed at multiple levels, including transportation, payment options, health literacy, and lack of healthcare facilities and personnel. What’s more, weaknesses within the United States’ public health apparatus – dramatically exposed throughout the 2020 pandemic – and chronically deficient social infrastructures (schools, nutrition, foster care and more) frequently contribute to marginalized people being unable to maintain health and prevent disease.
Healthcare for Marginalized Americans, INMED’s newest Professional Certificate Course, begins with the Winter 2021 Term on January 4. This learning experience explores the complex patchwork of ingredients which comprise United States health care systems, with special attention towards its effectiveness for marginalized people. The profound impact of social determinants of health are examined, health resources are evaluated, obstacles to care are identified, as are “work around” solutions commonly used by marginalized people. Existing and potential solutions to the healthcare dilemma for the United States’ most vulnerable people are explored, and course participants are challenged to advocate for a more equitable US health care system.
Fred Loper, Community Health Centers of Oklahoma physician, will guide learners through this 10-week online, two-credit hour course that also qualifies for requirements of the INMED Professional Master’s degree in International Health (MIH). No resident of the world’s wealthiest nation should continue to live without resources for health. Investigate how you yourself could become part of the solution, and join INMED for Healthcare for Marginalized Americans.