Access to Quality Health Care Requires a Systems Approach

The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), a Community Research for Health Equity grantee, shared its research on systemic barriers to care for Arab and South Asian Muslim communities in Southeast Michigan and outlined how they are translating findings into concrete policy and practice changes.

Research Impact Story: Access to Quality Health Care Requires a Systems Approach

This downloadable PDF was designed to share the impact and results of Institute for Social Policy and Understanding’s community-led research project.

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The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), a nonpartisan nonprofit advancing research and education on American Muslims, conducted a study to examine what factors affect access to health care for Muslim communities in southeast Michigan.

Findings revealed that various factors such as Islamophobia, racial discrimination, limited cultural competence, language and communication barriers, religious accommodation challenges, and gaps in access and affordability impacted community members’ ability to get access to care. The study also illustrated that the solutions must involve stakeholders across sectors as the barriers are systemic and multi-dimensional.

As a result, this work now provides a foundation for Arab and South Asian Muslim communities to advocate for equitable and quality care. Additionally, ISPU is engaging local health systems and presenting results to local leaders and public health officials to ensure the findings translate into concrete policy and practice changes.

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