1. W.H.O. DEFINITION OF PRIMARY CARE
Point of Entry
Patients must be referred by their primary care physicians before visiting specialists or seeking admission into a hospital.
Coordination of Care
The provider:
refers patients to sources of specialized
care,
gives advice regarding various
diagnoses and therapies,
discusses treatment options,
and provides continuing care for chronic
conditions
Essential Care
The goal of the health care delivery system is to optimize population health, not just the health of individuals who have the means to access health services.

2. Black Americans Hispanic Americans Asian Americans/ Pacific Islander
Are more likely to be economically
disadvantaged than Whites
Compared to Whites, Blacks have:
Is growing at a higher rate than
other population segments
Face significant barriers in accessing
health care:
Shorter life expectancies
Higher-age adjusted death rates for leading
causes of death
Higher age-adjusted maternal mortality rates
Higher infant, neonatal, and post-neonatal
mortality rates
Immigrants may not qualify for Medicaid
Inability to speak English to physicians
Low education which leads to unemployment
and thus a lack of health insurance
Asian Americans/
Pacific Islander
American Indians/
Alaskan Natives
Constitutes one of the fastest-growing population segments in the US
Are very diverse in education, income, and health status
Are at the bottom of the
socioeconomic strata
The Indian Health Services provides
comprehensive health services
Independent risk factors for health care access and
utilization include:
Citizenship/nativity status
Maternal education attainment
Poverty status
Have higher death rates from :
Alcoholism
Tuberculosis
Diabetes
Injuries
Suicide
Homicide

3. Certain unique aspects to consider for children’s health:
Developmental Vulnerability
The rapid and cumulative physical and
emotional changes that characterize
childhood
The potential impact that illness,
injury, or disruptive family and social
circumstances can have on a child
Dependency
A child’s need for adults to take responsibility for recognizing and responding to his/her health needs
New Morbidities
Problems from which older generations may not suffer:
Drug and alcohol abuse
Family and neighborhood
violence
Emotional disorders
Learning problems
Birth or Congenital Conditions
Medical problems in children are usually related to birth or congenital conditions.

4. Poverty and the Health Care System
Homeless
The homeless have higher rates of morbidity which results in greater utilization of both inpatient and outpatient services
(3.5 million)
Rural Health
Access to health care is affected by poverty, long distances, rural topography, weather conditions and limited availability of transportation
(22 million)
Uninsured
The uninsured are neither unemployed nor poor enough to qualify for federal programs
(46 million)

5. Poverty and the Health Care System
Homeless
The homeless have higher rates of morbidity which results in greater utilization of both inpatient and outpatient services
(3.5 million)
Rural Health
Access to health care is affected by poverty, long distances, rural topography, weather conditions and limited availability of transportation
(22 million)
Uninsured
The uninsured are neither unemployed nor poor enough to qualify for federal programs
(46 million)

6. How HIV/AIDS Affect the US Health Care System
Cost of Treatment
Discrimination
Prevention
Treatment
Research
Many efforts are being made to advance and improve HIV research, treatment and prevention. However, progress is slowed due to discrimination that HIV-positive patients may face and the high expenses of treating HIV/AIDS.