Final answer:
Alejandra’s infant son might encounter various hurdles in obtaining healthcare such as economic barriers leading to lack of insurance, geographical inaccessibility of medical facilities, racial or cultural barriers, stigma in healthcare settings, and systemic healthcare workforce shortages, all contributing to health disparities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alejandra’s infant son may face several barriers to healthcare that could make it difficult to find medical care. Some of these barriers could include:
- Lack of health insurance or insufficient coverage, which could be due to economic disparities and make healthcare costs prohibitive.
- The location of healthcare facilities may be too far or inaccessible for Alejandra, particularly if she lives in a low-income area with fewer medical resources.
- Potential racial, cultural, or language barriers that could lead to health disparities, hinder communication with healthcare providers, and create feelings of mistrust or intimidation.
- Stigma or lack of sensitivity among healthcare professionals, which can affect certain groups disparately, including those from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
- Systemic issues such as workforce shortages in healthcare that can lead to longer wait times and reduced access to care.
In the United States, access to medical facilities is often tied to economic as well as social factors. Poorer populations are typically less attractive to profit-driven he