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.