Is the system the problem?Reports by disadvantaged people with HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. suggest that discrimination from within the health care system may deter some portion of this population from obtaining necessary care. (1) Among a sample of HIV-infected homeless individuals living in single-room occupancy hotels in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. , 40% said that someone in the health care system had discriminated against them in at least one of three ways: by exhibiting hostility or lack of respect, by paying less attention to them than to other clients or by refusing them service. Asked what they thought was the cause of the discrimination, the largest proportion (60%) said that it was their HIV status. Individuals who had experienced discrimination more often attributed it to medical or nonmedical support staff than to medical providers. Those who reported discrimination rated their access to care and their trust in their providers lower, and their mistrust in the health care system higher, than those who did not. The researchers emphasize "the urgent need to identify the components of the health care system that patients have found to be alienating al·ien·ate tr.v. al·ien·at·ed, al·ien·at·ing, al·ien·ates 1. To cause to become unfriendly or hostile; estrange: alienate a friend; alienate potential supporters by taking extreme positions. ." (1.) Sohler N, Li X and Cunningham C, Perceived discrimination among severely disadvantaged people with HIV infection, Public Health Reports, 2007, 122(3):347-355 FYI "For your information." See digispeak. FYI - For Your Information is compiled and written by Dore Hollander, executive editor of Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health Within the framework of WHO's definition of health[1] as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, reproductive health, or sexual health/hygiene . |
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