I agree with everyone else that higher SES in general translates into better health. But I just wanted to talk about some exceptions to this general rule. In Mexico, for example, Smith and Goldman (2007) found that in urban areas there was a positive association between SES (here measure by income, wealth, and education) and self-reported health but that in rural areas there were few differences. Also, they found that in urban areas education was a protective factor for obesity but was a risk factor in rural areas. Interestingly, there was a positive relationship between income and obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption; the reverse is found in industrialized countries. In Costa Rica, one study found that for some health indicators, such as mortality, hypertension, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome, individuals with higher SES appear to be worse off (Rosero-Bixby & Dow, 2009). The authors conclude that higher SES may be associated with a more modern lifestyle and subsequently chronic disease. However, there may be selective mortality of poorer individuals as these studies focus on older populations.
So it seems there may be a few instances where there is a reverse SES gradient in some health measures and these have been attributed to lifestyle and health behaviors and to living in rural areas of developing countries where perhaps even if you have money, healthcare may not be available. But overall (and documented in an extensive amount of literature), higher SES is linked to better health.
For an interesting discussion of how (biologically) SES impacts health:
Crimmins EM, Seeman T. Integrating biology into the study of health disparities (in health and socioeconomic status). Population and Development Review. 2004;30:89–107. (Supplement: Aging, Health, and Public Policy).
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Dan Shaer
We all know that living in poverty and poor living conditions creates a much higher risk to acquire and develop any one or more diseases from a long list of possibilities. The major ones include AIDS, tuberculosis, measles, pneumonia, and diarrheal diseases. This list grows when you look at possible diseases that develop due to poor hygiene: Hepatitis, Blepharitis, Cholera, Cysticercosis, Neurocysticercosis, Pediculosis, Relapsing fever, Rotavirus, Scabies, and many more. Add the effects of malnutrition, poor diet, obesity, smoking, and drug abuse. And then consider the limited access to health care, preventative care, physicians, hospitalization, immunizations, vaccinations, and screening.
There are many factors that play a role in the relationship between poverty and health. Besides poor environmental conditions they include low education levels and awareness of required medical care, financial barriers in accessing health services, and a lack of resources necessary to maintain good health. People living in poverty have a shorter life expectancy and higher infant mortality rates.
There is much more than access to clean water, healthy food, and decent health care. Education is key. People must learn to use the resources available to live a healthier lifestyle. They must be shown alternatives and educated about their benefits as opposed to the unhealthy “normal” ways. Hygiene must be enforced in the household especially when it comes to children, who’s immune systems are still developing. Washing your hands will eliminate bacteria before you ingest food. Simply brushing your teeth even without toothpaste also eliminates bacteria and sugar off your teeth. These simple things that are second nature to people with higher incomes must be taught to become a habit of lower income individuals.
With limited income, it may be hard to buy healthier foods, thus they consume processed and high fat foods. I would recommend some form of daily exercise to balance the equation. Some people don’t have space to exercise, or live in dangerous neighborhood and taking a walk or a jog around the block could be risky.
There are many barriers that need to be overcome but I think some form of education will open their eyes and put things in perspective so that they would make a change from within, and teach their families healthier ways to live and prevent diseases.
There are many factors that play a role in the relationship between poverty and health. Besides poor environmental conditions they include low education levels and awareness of required medical care, financial barriers in accessing health services, and a lack of resources necessary to maintain good health. People living in poverty have a shorter life expectancy and higher infant mortality rates.
There is much more than access to clean water, healthy food, and decent health care. Education is key. People must learn to use the resources available to live a healthier lifestyle. They must be shown alternatives and educated about their benefits as opposed to the unhealthy “normal” ways. Hygiene must be enforced in the household especially when it comes to children, who’s immune systems are still developing. Washing your hands will eliminate bacteria before you ingest food. Simply brushing your teeth even without toothpaste also eliminates bacteria and sugar off your teeth. These simple things that are second nature to people with higher incomes must be taught to become a habit of lower income individuals.
With limited income, it may be hard to buy healthier foods, thus they consume processed and high fat foods. I would recommend some form of daily exercise to balance the equation. Some people don’t have space to exercise, or live in dangerous neighborhood and taking a walk or a jog around the block could be risky.
There are many barriers that need to be overcome but I think some form of education will open their eyes and put things in perspective so that they would make a change from within, and teach their families healthier ways to live and prevent diseases.
Income is power
It is clear that good health is associated with having a good job, having a higher level of education, having more income and living in good neighborhoods where there are amenities such as hospitals, clinics, food marts with fresh and good produce, walk ways and trails, tennis courts, swimming pools, golf course etc. Thus access to these amenities enables or help one to live a better life style as compare to people with no access to these amenities. In developing countries, just a few people are able to afford good health care. They use other alternatives such as local herbal medicines for their health which might not be the best to use in this modern era and its mainly due to the fact that they do not have enough income to even buy food to eat let alone use their income for hospital visits and check-up routines, etc.
In developing countries such as Ghana, health care professionals can come together with the government to help educate the general public on the importance of sanitation for example because lack of education has cause most of the people with lower SES to live a lifestyle that does not value the importance of good sanitation for example and due to that has cause a lot of some preventable diseases in their community where as this same issue of poor sanitation is not a problem at communities where people with higher SES live.
Availability of jobs are very important since it’s the most and common way to earn income, therefore lack of it raises a major problem such that, even if there is enough infrastructure and the people in the community have a lower SES due to unemployment, they still will not be able to afford for all the use of the amenities available let alone be able to maintain the amenities.
In developed countries such as the US, there are available amenities such as hospitals and clinics for example in areas with lower income but due to lack of enough capital most of the people living in lower SES area are not able to afford for all the necessary care and services to be able to live a healthy lifestyle. A major problem is having access to get affordable healthy food staffs to eat. It is quiet expensive to buy healthy produce as compared to buying junk food and visiting a fast food restaurant and a healthy choice restaurant.
The system to me is able to drain a lot on families who are in the middle and lower class because there are so much bills to pay leaving just a small portion for health care, that is unless there is a situation regarding one’s health before there is a need to visit the hospital.
Transportation in a country can play a major role in having access to health care because if there is not the means to get to the hospital due to lack of accessible roads, lack of affordable public transportation then how then will these people with low SES who can’t afford for a car on their own let alone pay their monthly insurance, property taxes on the car and all the maintenance that comes along when using the car for instance.
SES has a big toll on health care. Education, availability of jobs, access to haelth care, healthy foodstuffs, physical activity options, access to affordable transportation system can help in reducing the problem that comes along with having low SES. If there is an equal distribution of access to good paying jobs for example it will help raise the income level of people who are in the lower-income class to increase their purchasing power on choosing to have a better health care and living a better life style that is if they even know how to choose what is better. Being able to have high level of education to me can help solve a lot of problem associated with SES in both developed and now developing countries.
Money is power and we all have to be able to enjoy that power to live a better lifestyle by choosing what is best for us all.
In developing countries such as Ghana, health care professionals can come together with the government to help educate the general public on the importance of sanitation for example because lack of education has cause most of the people with lower SES to live a lifestyle that does not value the importance of good sanitation for example and due to that has cause a lot of some preventable diseases in their community where as this same issue of poor sanitation is not a problem at communities where people with higher SES live.
Availability of jobs are very important since it’s the most and common way to earn income, therefore lack of it raises a major problem such that, even if there is enough infrastructure and the people in the community have a lower SES due to unemployment, they still will not be able to afford for all the use of the amenities available let alone be able to maintain the amenities.
In developed countries such as the US, there are available amenities such as hospitals and clinics for example in areas with lower income but due to lack of enough capital most of the people living in lower SES area are not able to afford for all the necessary care and services to be able to live a healthy lifestyle. A major problem is having access to get affordable healthy food staffs to eat. It is quiet expensive to buy healthy produce as compared to buying junk food and visiting a fast food restaurant and a healthy choice restaurant.
The system to me is able to drain a lot on families who are in the middle and lower class because there are so much bills to pay leaving just a small portion for health care, that is unless there is a situation regarding one’s health before there is a need to visit the hospital.
Transportation in a country can play a major role in having access to health care because if there is not the means to get to the hospital due to lack of accessible roads, lack of affordable public transportation then how then will these people with low SES who can’t afford for a car on their own let alone pay their monthly insurance, property taxes on the car and all the maintenance that comes along when using the car for instance.
SES has a big toll on health care. Education, availability of jobs, access to haelth care, healthy foodstuffs, physical activity options, access to affordable transportation system can help in reducing the problem that comes along with having low SES. If there is an equal distribution of access to good paying jobs for example it will help raise the income level of people who are in the lower-income class to increase their purchasing power on choosing to have a better health care and living a better life style that is if they even know how to choose what is better. Being able to have high level of education to me can help solve a lot of problem associated with SES in both developed and now developing countries.
Money is power and we all have to be able to enjoy that power to live a better lifestyle by choosing what is best for us all.
SES, the U.S, hunger, and Africa
I believe SES determines several health related things such as physical environment, social environment, education, and health care access (specially in the United States and non-developed countries). All these matters affect population's preventive health, health education and dietary habits. In fact, I once read in an article that unlike what so many people think, the poor don't have special types of diseases or illnesses, it's just that they don't have access to health care as much as the rich does. And that is why they are sicker.
I believe one way to solve the problem for us ( in the U.S) is to have equal access to health care for everyone. And with more investment in health education and disease prevention programs, I think we have a good chance to reduce the inequality of disease disparities.
As far as other parts of the world, specially the non-developed countries, I believe the richer countries have the responsibility to come up with plans to make those nations healthier. For example, with the money the rich countries (like the western europeans, the U.S, China, and Japan) spent on finance and coming out of what is known as economic meltdown, I think we could eliminate hunger in Africa several times.
I believe the rich countries should have more systematic and consistent programs to increase the quality of health in the poor countries since in the long run, the rich is going to benefit from their productivity and health as well.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Wealth Care System
Wealth equals good health, especially in this country-the U.S. Because our country is so money/business driven-we use every angle to collect money-and where does money come from? The wealthy! So, since health care is pretty necessary in order to survive, why not charge tons of money???----thus ---the best candidates for health care would be the WEALTHY!!!!
The wealthy-how did they get this way? Through education, degrees..etc. Thus, more education equals more power equals more knowledge. right? With this power and knowledge, one can live in a fancy neighborhood, get great benefits and first dibs at the health care system. It also implies, the best clean and safe neighborhoods. In developed countries, if you cant afford health care, you are out of luck-if you are unemployed-good luck getting funds for health care out of pocket...and people go bankrupt because of medical bills!!!
What about the developing countries-how would this work????? Well, people in poverty have less access to clean water, good, health care overall..etc. This would cause them to have more sick people, disease, death.
The wealthy-how did they get this way? Through education, degrees..etc. Thus, more education equals more power equals more knowledge. right? With this power and knowledge, one can live in a fancy neighborhood, get great benefits and first dibs at the health care system. It also implies, the best clean and safe neighborhoods. In developed countries, if you cant afford health care, you are out of luck-if you are unemployed-good luck getting funds for health care out of pocket...and people go bankrupt because of medical bills!!!
What about the developing countries-how would this work????? Well, people in poverty have less access to clean water, good, health care overall..etc. This would cause them to have more sick people, disease, death.
The poor are getting poorer!
Being healthy is definitely associated with earning a high income, obtaining a higher education and living in clean and safe neighborhoods. Most importantly, a high income implies that you have privilege access to the health care system. In developing countries, there are strong relationships of people in poverty to less access to nutritious foods, education, and, needless to say, health care. Therefore, they are more prone to infectious diseases, high substance uses, unhealthful lifestyles and ultimately higher mortality rates. In developed countries like the U.S., it is no brainer to see poor people as less likely to be protected with health coverage and, in some cases, many people are even pushed to the poverty level due to high price tag of health insurance. I guess that the poorest people in the U.S. are the ones who are just above the federal poverty level under 65 years old, who do not qualify for any public health assistances like Medicaid and Medicare.
As I have mentioned above, the relationship between poverty and health is strong yet very complicated due to the facts including not only enduring financial impediment to health care but also living in poor environmental conditions, suffering or lack of awareness in needed medical care, and perhaps working in hazardous environment. Improvement on accessible and affordable health care services should be implemented to reduce the income disparities among the population. For instance, public health assistance may ease the income inequality for the poor to access health care. They can focus more on the underserved populations to minimize income disparities by establishing more public health clinics to provide basic care from immunization to preventive care at low cost. Also they can provide incentive for health care providers who work in underserved regions to promote better physician and patient ratio. In addition, providing the quality of education, improving their neighborhood and environment of employment for the poor will be beneficial to overcome income disparity in their health. According to Wilkinson’s article, many psychosocial factors are strongly linked to health such as social support and early-life support and stress from social deprivation. Therefore, we must approach income inequality on the health issue as multi-dimensional perspectives from psychosocial, economic and individual levels.
As I have mentioned above, the relationship between poverty and health is strong yet very complicated due to the facts including not only enduring financial impediment to health care but also living in poor environmental conditions, suffering or lack of awareness in needed medical care, and perhaps working in hazardous environment. Improvement on accessible and affordable health care services should be implemented to reduce the income disparities among the population. For instance, public health assistance may ease the income inequality for the poor to access health care. They can focus more on the underserved populations to minimize income disparities by establishing more public health clinics to provide basic care from immunization to preventive care at low cost. Also they can provide incentive for health care providers who work in underserved regions to promote better physician and patient ratio. In addition, providing the quality of education, improving their neighborhood and environment of employment for the poor will be beneficial to overcome income disparity in their health. According to Wilkinson’s article, many psychosocial factors are strongly linked to health such as social support and early-life support and stress from social deprivation. Therefore, we must approach income inequality on the health issue as multi-dimensional perspectives from psychosocial, economic and individual levels.
the root of the issue
In my opinion the problem is complex and cyclical. It is true, poverty (and SES in general) is closely linked to the health of a community yet it is in my observation and opinion that poverty is not the root of poor health. Looking back at history, the poorest were not those who had the worst health, but some of the best. For example, my relatives were poor farmers in Iowa and North Dakota. They were poor and had little more than an 8th grade education yet my grandparents lived well into their 90’s. They lived full and happy lives. Though they did not have money, nor access to education they did have ambition to learn, desire to live, worked hard and took responsibility for their actions. In my travels abroad spending 6 weeks in Ecuador, 6 weeks in India, and a 2 week intensive medical relief trip through Peru I have seen some of the poorest places in the world. My time in Peru and India was spent extensively in shanty-towns and slums respectively; I have seen some of the worst of the worst. It is not their poverty that gives them poor health but a presence of evil, a lack of understanding and education and a lack of desire to want change. This is where, in my opinion, the complex cycle begins rolling. It seems most logical to me, observing the communities and being able to interview the women in both places, that the root of the problem is something other than poverty.
Everyone has the right to clean water, healthy food, and a full life yet I had a difficult time with the last phrase “decent health care.” What does this mean? As health care educators we need to remember that life is not fair, anyone who says otherwise is a liar and is himself deceived. The root of the problem, to me is the presence of evil in this world. The postmodern-mind will not agree yet I firmly believe there is right and wrong as well as a natural order and law established at Creation. It is in my opinion this root of evil is the cause for disparity in health around the world.
It seems most logical to me that as health educators we ought to advocate for the restraint of evil and campaign for doing good to mankind. We campaign doing good through the work for increased equality among ethnicities, reducing the racism and other inhibitors (therefore restraining evil) and encouraging education among the impoverished and encouraging compassion and mercy upon those who are more wealthy. As health educators we can be community leaders and advocators to equality and compassion yet we must lead by example. We can use a participatory approach to education and as it was mentioned previously in a blog, as teachers, we teach others to teach. These trained community health teachers in turn teach and train others. There is dignity and honor in true leadership where the lives of people truly matter. This is my approach.
Everyone has the right to clean water, healthy food, and a full life yet I had a difficult time with the last phrase “decent health care.” What does this mean? As health care educators we need to remember that life is not fair, anyone who says otherwise is a liar and is himself deceived. The root of the problem, to me is the presence of evil in this world. The postmodern-mind will not agree yet I firmly believe there is right and wrong as well as a natural order and law established at Creation. It is in my opinion this root of evil is the cause for disparity in health around the world.
It seems most logical to me that as health educators we ought to advocate for the restraint of evil and campaign for doing good to mankind. We campaign doing good through the work for increased equality among ethnicities, reducing the racism and other inhibitors (therefore restraining evil) and encouraging education among the impoverished and encouraging compassion and mercy upon those who are more wealthy. As health educators we can be community leaders and advocators to equality and compassion yet we must lead by example. We can use a participatory approach to education and as it was mentioned previously in a blog, as teachers, we teach others to teach. These trained community health teachers in turn teach and train others. There is dignity and honor in true leadership where the lives of people truly matter. This is my approach.
Poverty affects all of us.
Poverty really affects everyone—the rich and the poor, the developed and the developing, the young and the old. The less poverty there is in a particular nation, the more we will all benefit. Many people believe that poverty affects only the ones in the lower SES communities, as issues like adequate healthcare and living conditions never enter into the discussion. However, some people forget to realize that the more impoverished a nation, the more burden there is for everyone. For example, there are social government programs such as Food Stamps that exist to help those in poverty or are operating at or below the FPL here in America. Who pays for this? We all do as citizens of a particular nation in one way or another whether it is through taxes or some other way. We are ALL paying for it. Thus, it is in our best interest as a nation to work together in the local, state, and national level to find ways to decreasing the poverty levels.
Everyone needs access to the essentials that allow for living to be manageable. Besides clean water, healthy food, and decent healthcare, there are things like adequate housing and an access to education that deserves the same merit. We can start by educating ourselves about pertinent issues that affect our communities whether it is through learning about the health care problems we’re facing to volunteering at a local food bank or dedicating clothes to a Salvation Army. Some of us have more time than others, but we can all contribute to improving the poverty conditions in our own country. It just takes a little bit from all of us.
Everyone needs access to the essentials that allow for living to be manageable. Besides clean water, healthy food, and decent healthcare, there are things like adequate housing and an access to education that deserves the same merit. We can start by educating ourselves about pertinent issues that affect our communities whether it is through learning about the health care problems we’re facing to volunteering at a local food bank or dedicating clothes to a Salvation Army. Some of us have more time than others, but we can all contribute to improving the poverty conditions in our own country. It just takes a little bit from all of us.
Components of Health
There are many components to being healthy but several important ones are eating a good diet, having access to clean water, having and utilizing access to healthcare, and finally having the education to know about the first three.
Education, and income make up Socioeconomic status, but does one play a larger role in determining someone's health? Yes money can give you access to food, and healthcare, but it doesn't mean you know why the fast food you are eating 2 meals a day does not qualify as a "healthy diet". I agree with several of my classmates in that I believe education plays a huge role in good health. One needs not only to know what makes up a healthy diet or what qualifies as clean water, but also why these are important to their body to understand that in order to obtain good health they must have them.
They also need to know how to access healthcare, and their options about paying for the care. Having worked in a free clinic, which I would have never known existed if I had not been looking for volunteer opportunities, it was amazing how many of the patients that I spoke to never realized they had somewhere to go other than the ER. Yes, it can be hard to get an appointment, and yes sometimes the wait could be long, but the clinic is still available to anyone who walked in the door. We in the public health community have better knowledge about many of the free clinics that exist in LA because we are in the business of promoting and helping people access good health, but the majority of the people who actually need this care do not know. This is in the US, a developed nation, whose healthcare system while frustrating to many of us is still better than most. Think about lack of knowledge in a developing country.
Multifactorial Much?
I agree with what everyone is saying. SES is intimately related to education, stress, healthy diet, access to healthcare and violent crime/occupational hazards. I'm not going to add anything about education, stress and diet.
Access to healthcare is still a major issue. Obviously in developing countries it plays a bigger role, where vaccination programs, hygiene initiatives and pest control still has a major impact on health. In more developed countries, access is thought to be less of an issue, as even WE pay for vaccines for the poor (regardless of immigration status), however, basic maintenance and preventative health care is highly underutilized. If it takes all day to wait in a free clinic (and it does) that is potential earnings lost. It is difficult to get to free clinics, even in Los Angeles, where there are a lot of clinics and where the population is not as spread out as in the more rural communities.
Additionally, people with lower SES are more likely to be exposed to violent crimes, unsafe conditions in the home and workplace. These are the people who work with heavy machinery, undergo repetetition injuries (except maybe carpal tunnel) and are on the road the most often.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Impacts on Education and Lifestyle
I think poverty exerts so much of an influence on health because it not only determines whether or not a person will have access to healthcare but it also determines how much access a person will have to education. I strongly believe that education is so fundamental in maintaining a healthy life both physically and mentally. Take Africa for example- it is a very poverty stricken country in which many villages believe that AIDS is transmitted through touch, thereby causing those affected to be alienated and shunned. This type of situation, which I could imagine takes a negative toll on the emotional health of those affected, could be avoided if the members of the community knew how in fact AIDS is transmitted. I therefore believe that education is key in promoting health at the individual, family, and community level. What we could do about this is organize more movements in which we educate community leaders who could then go out and educate those around them in a culturally-sensitive way. It is fundamental that we train and teach people within that community to go in and educate others, because we as “outsiders” do not know the cultural, religious, and moral values that characterize the community. I feel as if we should be mobilizing agencies that would train others to go out and teach and then in turn train those people to become teachers- a domino effect so to speak.
I think poverty also plays a major role in the health of an individual because it determines the type of lifestyle a person will have on a day to day basis. I taught and still do for the los angeles unified school district and I constantly interact with teens who have parents that have to work 2 or 3 jobs just to support their family. Some of these students live in neighborhoods that are heavily impacted by gang violence and crime. I feel as if all these factors affect day to day life, which in turn impacts health drastically so. I feel like this would be a bit harder to intervene into than improving access to education. Maybe more programs could be formed within these communities that would serve as support groups or resource centers. Essentially places where people, such as students in low-income communities, could go to find mentors, teachers, friends, safety, and …..
I think poverty also plays a major role in the health of an individual because it determines the type of lifestyle a person will have on a day to day basis. I taught and still do for the los angeles unified school district and I constantly interact with teens who have parents that have to work 2 or 3 jobs just to support their family. Some of these students live in neighborhoods that are heavily impacted by gang violence and crime. I feel as if all these factors affect day to day life, which in turn impacts health drastically so. I feel like this would be a bit harder to intervene into than improving access to education. Maybe more programs could be formed within these communities that would serve as support groups or resource centers. Essentially places where people, such as students in low-income communities, could go to find mentors, teachers, friends, safety, and …..
The rich get healthier, while the poor get sicker
It is clear that SES plays an essential role in the health of an individual. In developing and developed countries SES lays the foundation for a healthier lifestyle. The major factor that SES supports is education. Those who get little or no education have to work at more labor some and low paying jobs. As a result they have a poorer diet leading to an unhealthier life. Also, being in a low income family, they cannot afford hospital visits or even simple preventative shots. In a low income family, one’s health is not the most important issue, but money making is. As we have seen in class, SES is one of the largest determinants of health, but is the least accessible to many. The rich get richer and healthier, while the poor get poorer and sicker.
So what can we do about this? As for us students, we should be ok. Being educated and all, we should be able to get decent jobs with good health plans. The poor in America have the option of trying to apply for our complicated Medicaid system. But, what of the poor around the world who don’t have Medicaid or any aid? Who will go to them? Who will help them? I hope that as we continue our education in public health we will be able to free ourselves from our individualistic American minds and will be willing to heal the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the poor, and educate the uneducated in America, and the World.
So what can we do about this? As for us students, we should be ok. Being educated and all, we should be able to get decent jobs with good health plans. The poor in America have the option of trying to apply for our complicated Medicaid system. But, what of the poor around the world who don’t have Medicaid or any aid? Who will go to them? Who will help them? I hope that as we continue our education in public health we will be able to free ourselves from our individualistic American minds and will be willing to heal the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the poor, and educate the uneducated in America, and the World.
Poverty and SES as barriers to Good Health
I think that there are four major components to why SES determines the health of a population. First, because of a general lack of higher education and sometimes language barriers contribute to a lack of health education. People with lower incomes often have a poorer diet, less exercise, and lack of preventative medicine.
Next, the stress of worrying about money and taking care of their families can cause harm to their health. Some lower income citizens work numerous jobs, leaving little time to eat well and sleep enough.
Along with this, and beyond being uninsured, many people with lower SES don't have time or means to get to the doctor or clinic for prevention or treatment.
Lastly, healthier foods are generally more expensive and not available with food stamps. Canned, boxed, frozen foods, and fast food is usually much cheaper than fresh vegtables, fruit, and meat.
What can WE do as Americans to fix this ever - increasing problem? We can provide insurance for all of our citizens. We can also incentivize preventative measures to make it easier to get to the doctor. We can also work in with the food industry to lower the price of healthy foods to make the access to them greater. Lastly, we need to make more available media campaigns to inform our public of ways to stay healthier.
Next, the stress of worrying about money and taking care of their families can cause harm to their health. Some lower income citizens work numerous jobs, leaving little time to eat well and sleep enough.
Along with this, and beyond being uninsured, many people with lower SES don't have time or means to get to the doctor or clinic for prevention or treatment.
Lastly, healthier foods are generally more expensive and not available with food stamps. Canned, boxed, frozen foods, and fast food is usually much cheaper than fresh vegtables, fruit, and meat.
What can WE do as Americans to fix this ever - increasing problem? We can provide insurance for all of our citizens. We can also incentivize preventative measures to make it easier to get to the doctor. We can also work in with the food industry to lower the price of healthy foods to make the access to them greater. Lastly, we need to make more available media campaigns to inform our public of ways to stay healthier.
Education, occupation, income
Someone already mentioned it, but I wholeheartedly agree that education contributes greatly to the health disparities between social classes. Granted, someone with a higher education doesn't necessarily translate their knowledge into everyday practice, but they are more likely to do so than someone who doesn't have that knowledge.
In general, I feel that populations with low SES have lower levels of health because they tend to live in disparaged environments. They have bad living conditions, which can include houses that are poorly ventilated, built with asbestos, etc...their neighborhoods don't necessarily provide access to healthy food choices, or they may not be safely monitored, making it dangerous to play outside, or exercise, or even go for a walk.
And why do they live in these kinds of environments? It may be because their income levels are too low for them to live anywhere else. Income can also be tied to education--the higher level of education you have, the more money a year you're likely to make. There's a big difference in salary between someone who is a high school graduate and someone who never finished. And usually the jobs that pay lower require more physical labor, which can be taxing and even dangerous.
In terms of what a health care system can do to help the disadvantaged, I think first we need to start out by building better neighborhoods and urban infrastructures. There should be guidelines and policies in place to ensure that everyone can live in an environment that is safe and provides easy access to a healthy lifestyle.
In general, I feel that populations with low SES have lower levels of health because they tend to live in disparaged environments. They have bad living conditions, which can include houses that are poorly ventilated, built with asbestos, etc...their neighborhoods don't necessarily provide access to healthy food choices, or they may not be safely monitored, making it dangerous to play outside, or exercise, or even go for a walk.
And why do they live in these kinds of environments? It may be because their income levels are too low for them to live anywhere else. Income can also be tied to education--the higher level of education you have, the more money a year you're likely to make. There's a big difference in salary between someone who is a high school graduate and someone who never finished. And usually the jobs that pay lower require more physical labor, which can be taxing and even dangerous.
In terms of what a health care system can do to help the disadvantaged, I think first we need to start out by building better neighborhoods and urban infrastructures. There should be guidelines and policies in place to ensure that everyone can live in an environment that is safe and provides easy access to a healthy lifestyle.
less money, less options
Poverty influences health on many levels. Not only doesn’t it affect our ability to pay the bill, but it also affects our ability for healthier options. I believe that education is correlated to poverty. Residents who live in low SES communities (both developing and developed countries) have poorer health conditions. The health care system can change the health outcomes of the population by providing resources for healthy lifestyles.
Low SES communities are not educated about nutrition or healthy lifestyle. Their surroundings do not focus on a healthy eating habits or active lifestyles. They are more busy working long hours and do not have time to focus on their health. Their perceived barriers to health resources prevent them from accessing better health. Having health promotion classes, prevention courses, nutrition lessons, or physical activities options available will provide them with better health outcomes. Increasing their knowledge of a healthy lifestyle will influence their dietary and physical activity habits.
Certain areas of low SES communities are unsafe and prevent outdoor physical activity. Providing outlets for safer recreational activities will increase levels of physical activity reducing the onset of many preventable diseases.
Also, low SES families are constantly worrying about their income levels. They may overexert themselves working overtime and have increased stress levels. Exhausting your body of physical and mental capacity is detrimental to one’s health and also may contribute to future diseases.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Poverty and SES have always been the major indicators for determine one country’s condition; the government provides basic care to their people, and all health care treatments, procedures, drugs, tests and examinations need money. In developed countries, I believe the SES plays more important role in the health care system. All health care involves money, no matter the health care system is a national health system or a free-market base system, money is the basic drive for all kinds of services, and that’s why the poverty and SES have the most essential influence on health care.
People need access to basic care for them to stay healthy, but I think there are more for we can do. There should be plenty resources for people to have a healthy life style and without health threats, for instance, prevention and health promotion program, education, environment, etc. The prevention and health promotion program has a lot influence of health conditions, the program which should be design for prevent any possible health intimidations and the main goal would be promote the health condition of all people. The education definitely is an essential part; through the proper education, people at least would have the knowledge about how to stay healthy, and have the chances to reduce the case numbers of both physical and metal illness due to the lack of health education. The healthy environment not only means the living area but also the occupational area for people can both work and live in the environment without health threats. There are still a lot for the health care system can do for their people, but no systems are perfect; I think we are still struggle in the situation which we are eager to find the proper balance between the limited budget and the better health care.
People need access to basic care for them to stay healthy, but I think there are more for we can do. There should be plenty resources for people to have a healthy life style and without health threats, for instance, prevention and health promotion program, education, environment, etc. The prevention and health promotion program has a lot influence of health conditions, the program which should be design for prevent any possible health intimidations and the main goal would be promote the health condition of all people. The education definitely is an essential part; through the proper education, people at least would have the knowledge about how to stay healthy, and have the chances to reduce the case numbers of both physical and metal illness due to the lack of health education. The healthy environment not only means the living area but also the occupational area for people can both work and live in the environment without health threats. There are still a lot for the health care system can do for their people, but no systems are perfect; I think we are still struggle in the situation which we are eager to find the proper balance between the limited budget and the better health care.
Poverty: Bad for Health & Soul
It seems that after reading the two articles on SES relating to health status, poverty may not only limit individuals from proper access to health care, but also places a toll on them psychologically. Communities with large gaps between income, a divide in the very rich and the very poor, showed significantly more health problems than communities with small gaps in income. It could be that those that are less fortunate always feel inadequate compared to their wealthy neighbors. I am not sure how much of this envy would play into developing heart disease and other conditions. Perhaps some people feel that their role in the work force will never be as coveted as a high-up position and in turn this affects their self worth. Other issues like quality of homes, leisure time, and ability to purchase materials can all play into this. Having less money than another in the same area may lead to stress in trying to keep up with others. Wilkinson's article suggested that the greater the division between the upper and lower class, the greater the health disparity. This model was even tested to be true in animals.
In Marmot's article, I liked how the author wrote about how at one point in the U.K. poverty used to constitute malnutrition and poor housing but has evolved to a higher standard. His perception was that poverty meant less vacationing and buying less clothing. It seems to emphasize the idea that the SES gap will always be prominent even if standard of life improves for all. We sometimes assume that if someone has a job, a home, adequate healthcare, etc. they should be relatively happy but this is improving to be untrue. So in short, besides taking into account poor living conditions associated with poverty, being in the lower end of the social class system may bring about a psychological stress about being poor.
In Marmot's article, I liked how the author wrote about how at one point in the U.K. poverty used to constitute malnutrition and poor housing but has evolved to a higher standard. His perception was that poverty meant less vacationing and buying less clothing. It seems to emphasize the idea that the SES gap will always be prominent even if standard of life improves for all. We sometimes assume that if someone has a job, a home, adequate healthcare, etc. they should be relatively happy but this is improving to be untrue. So in short, besides taking into account poor living conditions associated with poverty, being in the lower end of the social class system may bring about a psychological stress about being poor.
Human Rights --> SES --> Health
Social economic status is affected and determined by an array of social factors and that I believe are outlined in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (in which health is mentioned in Article 25). If these rights are deprived, then social economic status declines. Some factors are more upstream/downstream then others. For instance, poor housing would lead to poor health but not vice versa necessarily. I think “health” is downstream for the majority of the social factors and therefore SES does play a major role in the result of an individual’s and community’s health. The human rights and their causal relationships to one another are universal so occur in both developing and developed nations. The 30 articles of the declaration cover not only water, food and health care, but much more complex social factors such as “freedom of thought, conscience and religion”, “right to rest and leisure” and “to participate in the cultural life of the community” ("The Universal Declaration of Human Rights). The deprivation of these rights could affect mental health! This is where the role of public health steps in and works on improving the cause of illness and not just the illness itself – preventative medicine – by improving upstream social factors that affect health. I believe health care systems need to emphasize public health’s role more and ensure that human rights that directly and mostly strongly affect health (such as poor housing, water/food, education, employment, etc.) are upheld.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Education is Key
Poverty has such a drastic influence on health in developing countries because of the lack of education regarding proper dieting and exercise in other countries. In the United States, we have an abundance of programs, from physical education and health courses in our school systems to the NFL’s What Moves You program that attempt to teach everyone from pre-schoolers to senior citizens about their health needs. In contrast, during my travels in Vietnam, I noticed no such programs existed anywhere. Consequently, there is the start of an obesity problem over there in the wealthier populations, who see it as a status symbol instead of a life-threatening problem.
From this, I believe people have the right to knowledge about how to live a long and healthy life. Unfortunately, setting up and achieving this goal will be extremely difficult due to the lack of an educational and communication structure in some countries. This is similar to the situation with the AIDS epidemic in Africa where many believe the implementation of a system that teaches about how AIDS spreads and its effects would drastically reduce the prevalence of the disease. The control of worldwide health problems is similar but much broader and would require much more resources.
The ideal situation would be through the means of communication we use today (television, radio and internet). In order to do this, we need to put money in to the situation and to garner political support to even get started. These are the two things that are very difficult to acquire but impossible to move forward without.
From this, I believe people have the right to knowledge about how to live a long and healthy life. Unfortunately, setting up and achieving this goal will be extremely difficult due to the lack of an educational and communication structure in some countries. This is similar to the situation with the AIDS epidemic in Africa where many believe the implementation of a system that teaches about how AIDS spreads and its effects would drastically reduce the prevalence of the disease. The control of worldwide health problems is similar but much broader and would require much more resources.
The ideal situation would be through the means of communication we use today (television, radio and internet). In order to do this, we need to put money in to the situation and to garner political support to even get started. These are the two things that are very difficult to acquire but impossible to move forward without.
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