In an article published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health titled “Access Disparity and Health Inequality of the Elderly: Unmet Needs and Delayed Healthcare,” Yamada examines the health burdens impacting this growing but often overlooked demographic.
Yamada’s study found that elderly patients with negative attitudes and beliefs about health care services were more likely to delay or decline treatment. Meanwhile, seniors with easier access to health insurance and treatment providers were more likely to receive the care they needed. When seniors received health care information from a reliable support network, such as family or friends in the medical field, the outcomes were more positive. Yamada’s findings offer a silver lining for health care providers and policymakers looking to confront a growing problem. Simply put, seniors need easy access to quality health care and a supportive network to help them take advantage of those resources. To read the full story.