Social Determinant that Significantly Affects the Opioid Crisis – Lack of Access to Healthcare Response to the First Student

Hello,

This is a great analysis of a social determinant that significantly affects the opioid crisis: lack of access to healthcare. It is a crucial factor contributing to the ongoing crisis, as many individuals, particularly those from low-income families, struggle to afford necessary healthcare services (Alamillo et al., 2019). Remarkably, you provided a comprehensive overview of the actions taken by President Biden and Trump to address the opioid crisis. To add on, President Biden’s commitment to allocating $1.6 billion towards addressing the addiction and overdose crisis and implementing various programs aimed at recovery, support, and treatment are commendable steps in the right direction (Long, 2023). Regarding your proposed approach, it is commendable that you limit opioid prescriptions to those in dire need, such as individuals suffering from chronic pain due to terminal illnesses. Education programs highlighting the seriousness and long-term effects of opioid consumption are crucial for raising awareness (Alamillo et al., 2019). However, it’s essential to consider the underlying factors contributing to substance abuse and addiction, such as socioeconomic disparities and mental health issues, to address the root causes effectively.

Thank you.

References

Alamillo, J., Delgado, R., & Samora, J. (2019). Immigration Policies and Health Disparities: Historical Legacies and Present Challenges. American Behavioral Scientist, 63(5), 616-632.

Long, K. (2023). Biden administration ends Trump-era policy allowing border officials to expel migrant families. The Washington Post.

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Question 

One of the social determinants that most affect the opioid crisis is the lack of access to health care. Even though there are many programs available for low-income families, people are still unable to afford healthcare. The rising cost of living, food, and other basic necessities have made it more challenging for families to afford healthcare. Because people cannot afford healthcare, they turn to opioids in order to manage their pain be it acute or chronic. Hence, the opioid crisis continues to be a problem. The death numbers have increased from 12,122 in 2015 to 53,495 in 2021.

Social Determinant that Significantly Affects the Opioid Crisis

What has President Biden done to deal with the opioid crisis? The Biden administration funded $1.6 billion to the committee in order to address the addiction and overdose crisis in the states. Four programs that were created in order to deal with the opioid crisis in communities are:1) SOR 2) TOR 3) Rural Communities Opioid Response Program 4) SOR/TOR Technical Assistance. The aim of these programs is to recover, support and treat the opioid crisis. It entails saving lives by use of prevention in these communities. He also signed the MAT Act in 2021 in order to allow healthcare practitioners to prescribe certain detox treatments for substance abuse without having to apply for an additional waiver.

What did President Trump do to deal with the opioid crisis? He saw the seriousness of this issue and in 2017 he called the opioid crisis “a public health emergency.” Along with his administration, he promoted an anti-drug campaign, in 2018 he funded $6 billion to fight the opioid crisis, and he also came up with the Safer Prescribing Plan which cut opioid prescription by 1/3 in 3 years. He did his best to secure the borders and prevent the smuggling of drugs into the country. In 2017, the United States Customs were able to stop the distribution of 2,300 pounds of fentanyl.

What would I do differently? I would only offer opioids to people who are in dire need of them and suffering from chronic pain due to a terminal illness. I would also build more programs to educate the public on the seriousness of consuming these drugs and the long-term effects and adapt more programs to detox these individuals. However, I will place some restrictions post-detox if they continue with unruly behaviour. If they remain clean, I will develop programs to help them go to school and pay their rent, and necessities in order for them to better their life.

References