The healthcare system is under pressure, and in some areas that has translated into longer wait times for patients. In addition, many people are having trouble affording health care. Whether it is due to high costs, co-pays or deductibles, or lack of coverage, people are struggling. KFF data shows that significant shares of adults are worried about their ability to pay for healthcare and have incurred medical debt or tapped other sources of funds in the past year. This issue is disproportionately felt by black and Hispanic Americans, those living in poverty, and the uninsured.

Health crises can be triggered by disease (Covid-19 or HIV/AIDS), natural disasters, industry or policy (oil spills or lead paint). Different governing bodies have the authority to declare a public health emergency at the global, national or local level.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health workers faced additional stressors including an unprecedented surge in patient volume, longer work hours, and shortages of supplies and protection gear. As a result, they have reported experiencing anxiety and depression at higher rates than prior to the pandemic.

In some communities, it is difficult to make healthy choices due to a lack of parks where people can be physically active, stores that sell healthy food, or long distances to the nearest doctor. These nonmedical factors, often referred to as social determinants of health, can be positive or negative and affect a person’s overall quality of life. CDC promotes policies and focuses resources on communities disproportionately impacted by mental health issues to accelerate progress towards health equity.