Introduction
The provision of high-quality healthcare services to the population is conditional upon the consideration of their characteristics as well as the conditions prevalent in them. From this perspective, the focus on these two factors is crucial for a positive outcome of the suggested treatment. One of the examples, which should be approached with caution, is the cases of asthma among African American children since they remain insufficiently addressed by medical specialists (DePriest et al., 2018). Therefore, examining the history of this problem, the socioeconomic background of this category of citizens, and the possible harm resulting from the neglect of this disease can demonstrate the current situation in this regard.
Description of the Gap
The selected gap in care coordination, which is asthma in African American children, is a critical healthcare issue. It is connected to the risks of dying from this condition in this population group, which ate 7.6 times higher than those of other people in similar circumstances (DePriest et al., 2018). Moreover, this challenge is complemented by the burdens for all participants, which are medical specialists and families in the first place (Prather et al., 2020). Therefore, changes in the provision of services to these patients are required.
History of the Gap in Access to Healthcare
The determined problem is more of historical origin rather than a modern issue. This conclusion is explained by the difference in the living standards of various population groups. The researchers claim that neighborhood safety, the lack of home, caregiver burdens, high levels of stress, and unfavorable physical environments led to its emergence (Prather et al., 2020; DePriest et al., 2018). Hence, the proof is in the fact that the development of the above challenges is a long process, which should be viewed from the perspective of history rather than current conditions.
Socioeconomic Background of the Population
The socioeconomic background of African American children plays a significant role in the development of asthma. According to recent studies, this factor prevents them from accessing high-quality healthcare services as they tend to live in poverty and financial conditions, which do not contribute to their wellbeing (DePriest et al., 2018). Therefore, these circumstances are crucial for reflecting on their impact on the health of the selected group of patients with this disease.
The Effects of the Gap on the Quality of Healthcare
The specified challenge adversely affects the quality of life of African American children. Alongside the considerations of mortality presented above, the lack of control of medical facilities complicates the situation (DePriest et al., 2018). In addition, the tendency for parents living in unsafe neighborhoods to keep the patients indoors, which derives from their socioeconomic status, adds to the rapid deterioration of health (DePriest et al., 2018). As a result, the affected persons, which are already disadvantaged, do not have an opportunity to receive medical assistance.
Potential Implications
The potential implications of the neglect of asthma in African American children are related to the lack of understanding between parents and healthcare workers and the impossibility of educating them on the problem. These two factors are considered decisive for eliminating the identified gap, and the failure to address them would indicate further worsening of the disease (Prather et al., 2020). Moreover, the prevalence of difficult-to-control asthma endotypes in these patients means that their needs should be prioritized (Brown et al., 2017). Otherwise, the mortality rates among African American youth will significantly increase.
Conclusion
To summarize, the gap in the access of African American children with asthma to medical assistance is a serious problem. The absence of regulatory measures in this regard is conditional upon their low socioeconomic status and poor living conditions. The complexity of these factors does not allow improving their situation, which should, therefore, be addressed by the involvement of nurses in educational initiatives for families.
References
Brown, K. R., Krouse, R. Z., Calatroni, A., Visness, C. M., Sivaprasad, U., Kercsmar, C. M., Matsui, E. C., West, J. B., Makhija, M. M., Gill, M. A., Kim, H., Kattan, M., Pillai, D., Gern, J. E., Busse, W. W., Togias, A., Liu, A. H., & Khurana Hershey, G. K. (2017). Endotypes of difficult-to-control asthma in inner-city African American children. PLoS One, 12(7), e0180778.
DePriest, K., Butz, A., & Gross, D. (2018). Investigating the relationships among neighborhood factors and asthma control in African American children: A study protocol. Research in Nursing & Health, 41(5), 428-439.
Prather, S. L., Foronda, C. L., Kelley, C. N., Nadeau, C., & Prather, K. (2020). Barriers and facilitators of asthma management as experienced by African American caregivers of children with asthma: An integrative review. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 55, 40-74.