Healthy People 2010

“Healthy People 2010 is a multi-faceted program developed to create self-awareness, responsibility, and overall healthy lifestyle choices for all Americans” (Healthy People 2010 ). There are two main goals set forth by this program, each containing several sub areas. First, the United States Department of Health and Human Services wishes to extend both life expectancy and increase overall quality of life for all Americans. Second, the program aims to eliminate differences in health between the rich and the poor and the able and the disabled. The program aims to reach citizens of all economic levels, treating each person equally within the health care system.
  In many ways, Americans of all ages and in every race and ethnic groups have better health today than ever before due to the tremendous advances in medical research and technology, and in health care. But I feel not all groups share theses benefits equally, and considerable disparities remain. Almost 43 million Americans were uninsured in 2000. Minorities are more likely to be uninsured and underinsured, and therefore they are less likely to receive regular or quality health care (including oral health care) and less likely to receive screenings for early detection of disease. They are also less likely to receive quality care management.
    From what I know, both rural and urban residents receive health insurance in a three ways: through employment, individual purchasing, and public insurance. However, rural residents are significantly less likely to get coverage through their employer because the majority of the people in rural areas work in small businesses or the are more likely to work in a low-wage employments. For small businesses with only a few employee, even one employee with significant health problems can make the overall cost of providing insurance simply not possible. Often time, rural businesses hire part time or seasonal workers, who are ineligible for health insurance. I feel like this...