Prioritize the use of your Access to Healthcare
Using our access to the Healthcare we need while we still can:
In the coming months, we are unsure of how the medical care system in the United States of America will evolve and change for better or worse. With many disabled people expecting loss of benefits, and the greater female community losing their basic maternal/fetal healthcare, we can only expect the continuation of taking away forms of medical treatment and preventative measures. In what ways can we prioritize our healthcare in the time where we still have some control over obtaining that healthcare we need? Are there preventative measures that we can take to prioritize our health in a system that is often pushing us towards ignoring our health and symptoms?
We expect that in the next few years certain healthcare treatments and preventative measures will become harder to access for the average person, as they are already a struggle to manage currently. If a situation were to occur where the majority of people are unable to get routine checks done, it is best that we are proactive in getting all of our routine work done in the time we have now.
Steps you can take if you do NOT have access to health insurance:
Go to your local pharmacy to access free Flu vaccines and COVID boosters.
Planned Parenthood can be a great resource for anyone (AFAB or AMAB) who do not have access to health insurance or cannot use their health insurance to pay for OB-GYN or Reproductive Healthcare. They also allow access to free birth control and plan-B for those without access.
If you are eligible, apply for Medicaid in your state, so you can begin receiving health insurance benefits. Often those receiving medicaid, have easier access financially to healthcare, but the system of receiving healthcare may be affected.
Steps you can take if you do have access to health insurance:
Schedule an Appointment with your Primary Care Doctor or General Practitioner (GP) to get your annual Flu vaccine, COVID boosters, and other preventative healthcare testing such as routine blood work, STD/STI Urine Analysis, and ask for referrals to specialists you may need to see.
When asking for Referrals from your Primary Care Doctor, think about the most important things to check for when it comes to you; However some common concerns are as follows:
Are there any health concerns that you think may require a specialist, your GP can provide that referral for you?
OB-GYN or appointment for cervical checks, STI/STD testing, long-term/short-term birth control options, or for general questions and concerns regarding the current state of your reproductive system (AFAB & AMAB).
gastroenterology appointment if you are almost to the age of needing your first colonoscopy, or believe you may face gut/bowel issues.
a dermatology appointment for checking moles, possible skin issues, etc.
Schedule a Dental Appointment. Even if you don’t have a dental insurance plan, check and see if your medical insurance will cover a yearly exam, X-ray, and cleaning, because they should.
Schedule an Eye Appointment.
Taking Our Hygiene More Seriously:
Getting to Know our Bodies
Do you know how your body works?
Do you look at your body frequently? Is there anything that you feel that seems new?
Do you know if you have checked your skin recently for any irregularities?
Does anything seem different than it was in the past?
Brushing our Teeth Regularly
When it comes to brushing our teeth and keeping our dental hygiene good, know that you can start at any time! Many people struggle with good consistent dental hygiene, and many don’t have access to reasonably priced dental care.
Brushing our teeth, two times a day is the recommendation, but doing it as often as you remember (more or less) is the best practice when you struggle with a dental cleaning routine.
Flossing our teeth and using other tools than just our toothbrushes to clean our teeth.
Washing our Bodies
Do you wash all the parts of your body regularly?
We know sometimes bathing ourselves can seem hard to do, especially when we have trouble with our mental health; however, it’s
Discussing our Health with Others
Discussing our health with others, consensually and with consciousness for our health’s impact on one another during the viral season.
Checking for Breast Lumps
If you are concerned about any of the abnormalities you find you should reach out to your doctor, or make an appointment to a Planned Parenthood for a Breast Exam.
Food Consciousness
How can we be better about fueling our bodies with food and clean water, if we have access?
How can we provide meals and clean water to those in our community that are struggling with access to them?
Hydration/ Electrolytes
When you drink liquids are you getting enough water into your body?
Are you making sure that when you are drinking liquids including water, that you take into account how they affect your body’s electrolyte system? Are you getting enough salt in your diet to match your water intake?
