We are all unique in many ways and these differences play a key role in our health care experiences. Factors like diversity, equity, and inclusivity, as well as our financial or educational situations, shape our interactions with medical care.
Diversity refers to aspects like your race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender, and sexuality. These factors can change how we experience health care. For example, your age can put you at risk for certain types of health problems, which some health care providers have more experience and training in treating than others. If you’re struggling with how you identify your gender, you may avoid seeing a doctor or nurse because you’re afraid of how they may react, especially if you’ve had negative experiences in the past.
Equity and inclusivity strive to ensure that everyone has a fair chance in having their health care needs met. Sadly, this isn’t always the case. Factors like your financial situation, the area where you live, or a language barrier can affect your access to health care. Being fluent in the local language allows you to communicate more effectively, which helps others to understand your situation and needs better. If you live in an area with fewer specialized health care providers, you may also face barriers in accessing all the treatment options available to you.
Our unique differences can have a large impact on our health care experiences. Understanding our differences and adapting to them can help make sure that everyone gets the best and most personalised medical care that they need.
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