Power Dynamics in Health Care

and Disparity of Health Services

Katelynn Krause, Courtney Madary,
Mehreteab Mengsteab, & Stephanie Moon

Prof. Jennifer Friesema, GVSU OT

 Stephanie Mehreteab Katrina Katelynn
Moon Mengsteab Greathouse Krause

GVSU, B.S. Allied GVSU, B.S. Hope College, B.S. GVSU, B.S.
Health Science Biochemistry Exercise Science & Exercise Science
Psychology
GVSU OT Student MSU Med Student GVSU OT Student GVSU OT Student
Why are we here?
1. To learn more - you do not need to be an
expert to learn more and contribute
2. Increase awareness
3. To elicit action to improve healthcare
services and access to healthcare
services
What is systemic discrimination?
Systemic discrimination refers to patterns of behavior, policies, or
practices that are part of structures of an organization, and which create
or perpetuate disadvantage for racialized persons (“Systemic
discrimination,” n.d.).
Social Determinants of Health
The social determinants of health are the conditions in
which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including
the health system.
- World Health Organization
Groups that we will focus on:
● Minority Races
● Older Adults
● LGBTQIA+ Community
Minority Races within the US
● White 63.7%, Hispanic or Latino 16.3%, Black or African American 12.2%,
Asian 4.7%, Middle Eastern Americans 3.2%, Two or more races 1.9%,
American Indian or Alaskan Native 0.7% (“Population of the US”, 2010).
● Cultural competence
● Language barriers
● Health literacy
● Uninsured
● Disparities in mental health services
Older Adults
● In 2014, 46.2 million people in the world and 14.5% of the U.S. population
were age 65 or older (HHS)
● 5% of the 65+ age group occupies nursing homes (Census Bureau)
● 44 million Americans are enrolled in Medicare (AARP)
● Ageism is discrimination based on age
● Ageism in healthcare can take the form of a provider dismissing treatable
pathology as a feature of old age, or treating expected changes of aging as
though they were diseases (Kane, Ouslander, and Abrass, 2004).
LGBTQIA+ Community
● Orientation Preferences (Ward, Dahlhamer, Galinsky, & Joestl, 2014)
○ Straight: 96.6%
○ Gay or Lesbian: 1.6%
○ Bisexual: 0.7%
○ Something else / unsure: 1.1%

Heteronormativity - A set of lifestyle norms, practices, and institutions that

promote binary alignment of biological sex, gender identity, and gender roles;
assume heterosexuality as a fundamental and natural norm; and privilege
monogamous, committed relationships and reproductive sex
above all other sexual practices
(The Regents of the University of California, 2016)
 Let’s play a game!
Welcome to Healthcare “Life”
The Big Picture
● What could happen as a result of these individuals’
experiences with the healthcare system? To them? To
others?
● What can we do to better accommodate for these
groups of people in healthcare settings?
Thank you for participating!
Questions? Comments? Concerns?
 References
Population of the US by Race and Hispanic/Latino Origin, Census 2000 and 2010 (n.d.). In Info please. Retrieved January 14,
2017, from http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0762156.html

The Regents of the University of California, Davis Campus (2016). LGBTQIA Resource Center Glossary. Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual Resource Center. Retrieved from
http://lgbtqia.ucdavis.edu/educated/glossary.html

Systemic Discrimination Law and Legal Definition (n.d.). In USLEGAL. Retrieved January 14, 2017, from
https://definitions.uslegal.com/s/systemic-discrimination/

Ward, B. W., Dahlhamer, J. M., Galinsky, A. M., & Joestl, S. S. (2014). Sexual Orientation and Health Among U.S. Adults:
National Health Interview Survey, 2013 . National Health Statistics Reports, 77, 1-10.
doi:https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr077.pdf