Name Institution Date

Description of the Target Population The target population for this study are the African- American population aged between years old. In 2013, African-Americans population was estimated at 45 million, which accounts 15.2% of the US population. The largest population of African-American is in the South, with Mississippi having 38.1 % Black-Americans and Columbia 51%. In 2013, New York had 3.7 million Black-Americans. There are notable health disparities between African Americans and other racial and ethnic population in America.

Inaccessibility of Health Insurance Plan its Effect It is estimated that one in five African-Americans (19%) is without health care insurance. African-Americans spend high percentage of their income on health care, 16.5% compared to 12.2% by the whites. A higher percentage of African-Americans tend to reside in areas with few hospitals, thus limited access to quality health care. Hospitals in areas predominated by African-Americans have low Medicaid reimbursements. Charity care is high in African-American communities. There is shortage of health care providers in African-American communities.

Cause and Effect of Inaccessibility of Health Insurance Plan Considerably high unemployment rate among the African Americans. Wide income disparities among the African-American and the whites. High rates of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, and AIDS among the African-American communities. 48% African-American adults are affected by chronic diseases. There is inadequate routine care and prevention. African Americans life expectancy is six years shorter than whites at birth and two years shorter at age 65

How the two essential services that revolve around assessment are applied to Health Insurance Plan Core functions of Public health include, monitoring, diagnosing and investigating health issues. Health Insurance Plan ensures provision of health services to every individual. Ensures preparedness for epidemics and spread of diseases Promotes and encourage healthy behaviors. Ensure accessibility of quality services. Ensures timely healthcare. People without health insurance often postpones prevention, thus the illness is diagnosed late leading to complications and increased costs. Health insurance companies alerts members when and where to get diagnostic screenings

What has been done in general to address the issue Affordable Care Act increased health insurance coverage The health insurance plan provides subsidies for consumers with lower annual income. The plan excludes deduction of preventive care, medical tests and screenings. Ensures affordability, access, and quality for African American families. Better access to health insurance plan that meets needs and budget. Medicaid and Children’s health Insurance programs enrollment.

Addressing Health Insurance issue among African American More than 10.4 million African Americans have no annual limits on health insurance coverage. Major Federal investments have helped in chronic diseases prevalent among African Americans. Ensuring affordability, access, and quality for African American families. Creation of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities at the National Institutes of Health National Healthcare Disparities Report

Existing Policies Affordable Care Act IOM study on health care disparities National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities Addressing Health Disparities Health insurance cover increased by 8.3% in the first 9 months. 410,000 young African American adults have health insurance coverage Preventive care is being advocated for among the African Americans

Policy Development Expanding health insurance coverage; Diversification of the Health Care Workforce Increasing Access to Community Health Centers Improving disease management Raising public awareness on racial disparities in healthcare Increasing awareness on causes and interventions to ensure reduced disparities.

Identify stakeholders and potential facilitators African American Communities Policy makers Health Care Workforce Health Insurance Companies Researchers and investigators

Application of the three essential services The essential health policy development category include; Inform, Educate and Empower; Mobilize Community Partnerships; and Develop Policies. Raising public awareness on healthcare disparities Educate and Empower the African American communities on the causes and interventions to reduce the disparities. Mobilize Community Partnerships to expand coverage. Develop Policies that would ensure increased number of healthcare providers.

References CDC (2015). Black or African American Populations. Retrieved from: ml ml The Commonwealth Fund (2002). Quality of Health Care for African Americans. Retrieved from: other/2002/mar/quality-of-health-care-for-african-americans-- a-fact-sheet/collins_factsheetafam-pdf.pdf other/2002/mar/quality-of-health-care-for-african-americans-- a-fact-sheet/collins_factsheetafam-pdf.pdf Danny, K.D. (n.d.). African-Americans and Health Reform. Retrieved from: americans-health-care/ americans-health-care/