Final answer:
Poor communities face barriers to obtaining health insurance, leading to delayed care and higher costs. To involve more people in helping to address this issue, strategies include expanding access to affordable insurance, offering free or low-cost health services, and empowering individuals through education.
Step-by-step explanation:
People in poor communities are at an increased risk for health inequities, which can lead to difficulties in gaining insurance. This is because, especially before the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), many poor individuals had limited means to obtain health insurance outside of government programs like Medicaid. As a result, uninsured people often wait until they are very ill to seek medical help, relying on emergency room care instead of preventative care. This puts a strain on hospitals and leads to higher costs for the insured and taxpayers.
In order to involve more people in helping to address this issue, there are several strategies that can be implemented. First, the government can work to expand access to affordable health insurance, ensuring that more individuals in poor communities can obtain coverage. Additionally, community organizations and healthcare providers can collaborate to offer free or low-cost health services, such as mobile clinics or health fairs, to those who may not have insurance. Education and outreach efforts can also be undertaken to empower individuals in poor communities to better understand their healthcare options and the importance of preventative care.