In November, Citizens Research Council of Michigan released a report revealing Michigan’s poor performance in major health metric indicators. Titled “Social Determinants of Health: Pathways to a Healthier Michigan,” the report highlights structural barriers that shape residents’ health outcomes and details five key areas for improvement: financial resources, health care, food and nutrition, safety and social support.
In an interview with The Michigan Daily, LSA sophomore Rishab Moudgil, vice president of Students for Health Equity and Advocacy, said the findings of this report didn’t come as a surprise to him due to his experiences working in health care, both in a dermatology clinic and an emergency care department.
“I think the true issue lies in systemic barriers because, as I have been on the floors of the hospital taking care of these acute care patients on the sixth floor, they start telling me their stories,” Moudgil said. “They start on the night shift (saying) like, ‘I came here, it’s hard because I can’t afford these bills, no one in (the University of Michigan) has been able to help me out with that stuff’.’”…