The structural inequalities that I have become attuned to since I started my experience in Minnesota are noticing the differences in community involvement in health care in the city versus the rural areas. I am currently living in a rural community and have observed the difference between how community members discuss health in rural areas versus those who reside closer to the healthcare systems in Minnesota. There is clear inequitable access to care due to how the insurance system is structured. While I was in London, people used the health care system more and generally had more positive feelings about it because everyone had access to it.
The COVID-19 Pandemic has, in some ways, exacerbated these disparities in care as people seek less care and find themselves more confused by a lack of access to resources.
I want to continue to explore how differences in the health care system in the UK versus the US impact community engagement in public health.
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