Health Care Access

A doctor consults with mother and children about HIV/AIDS at Pepo La Tumaini Jangwani, HIV/AIDS Community Rehabilitation Program, Orphanage and Clinic. Nairobi, Kenya, Africa

The Future of Universal Health Coverage in Africa

Utibe Effiong, MPH ’14, Fejiro Nwoko, and Uju Okeke

While COVID stretches already stretched health care systems across Africa, the future of Africa’s health care insurance systems is full of opportunity, promising improved coverage and creative care delivery across all sectors of society.

Graphic showing Benefit–Risk Analysis of Health Benefits versus Excess Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Outbreaks Inevitable as Childhood Vaccination Rates Decrease

Sarah Javaid and Giovanna Buttazzoni

COVID-19 poses unique challenges to vaccination programs, with children around the world going unvaccinated for a variety of reasons. To prevent childhood deaths and disease spread due to decreased vaccination coverage, immunization programs must continue during the pandemic.

Black patient checking blood oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter

Black People Are Three Times More Likely to Experience Pulse Oximeter Errors

Susan Dorr Goold, Michael Sjoding, and Thomas Valley

Pulse oximeters can noninvasively measure blood oxygen levels, a vital biomarker for many. But these devices are imperfect and provide inaccurate readings especially for Black patients. Why are these devices flawed, and how can we improve the technology?

A provider goes over a health resource with a patient or parent

Screening for Social Determinants of Health in Pediatric Settings

Phoebe Trout, Rebeccah Sokol, Julia Ammer, Layla S. Mohammed, Rachel Varisco, Sara F. Stein, and Alison L. Miller

Early screening and intervention, including in the doctor’s office, can help address health inequities and mitigate their impact. The negative effects of childhood adversity extend to a variety of health outcomes. Screening promotes well-being by ensuring families have the resources they need to maintain a healthy environment for their child.

Bunk beds viewed through chain-link fence

Mental Health Inside Detention Centers: The Unknown Toll on Latinx Child Immigrants

Cecilia Galvan

Thousands of children still live inside US immigration detention centers, and they are not getting adequate care. These populations include large numbers of Latinx children currently living in a traumatic and uncertain environment. Obtaining the data necessary to understand the mental health impacts of detainment on these children is vital.

Primary care physician goes over diagnosis and medications with a patient

Go See the Doc: The Battle to Take Back Primary Care

Kayla Flewelling and Utibe Effiong

Your primary care provider is in a unique position to help you stay healthy, in large part by identifying potential disease threats and helping you prevent their onset. So what is keeping so many Americans out of their primary care doctor’s exam rooms?