National Public Health Week: Saturday

The theme for today is accessibility!

About 26% of U.S. adults have a disability.  To move toward health equity, it’s critical we recognize that people with disabilities are facing health disparities. One in three adults with disabilities does not have a primary health care provider, and one in three adults with disabilities has unmet health care needs due to financial cost. Since the passing of the Affordable Care Act, uninsured rates have decreased. In 2008, 83.2% of people under the age of 65 reported having medical insurance, but by 2020, the percentage of people with insurance coverage was 91.4. Early intervention for hearing loss among young children is proven to help with their language development.

Improving access to nutritious food — particularly in areas with limited access to fresh produce — has been linked to improving overall health and eating habits. For example, when a mobile farmers market was introduced to a low-income community in Michigan in 2014, residents reported eating more fruits and vegetables since they were more accessible. The initiative has grown in the years since it was launched and five convenience stores in that neighborhood now provide fresh produce, with more collaborations being planned.