Health Inequality Bad

Is Inequality Bad for Our Health? When it comes to discussing inequality and the effects it has on health, many people will ask, “Is there really a correlation?” Or they will argue that inequality does not exist and if it does it is not their problem because it does not affect them personally. Yet, research shows that inequality can negatively affect the health of even the affluent (“Inequality and Health”). There is no question that having a low income or living in poverty goes hand-in-hand with poor health or poor health outcomes. Researchers have found that life expectances, infant mortality, obesity, and use of health care facilities can be linked to the level of economic inequality within a population (“Inequality and Health”). Therefore, …show more content…
Socioeconomic status’ play a role in everything related to heath care. The more money you have the better chance you have at being healthy. Yet, what about those who do not have a great deal of money? What about those that live in poverty and cannot afford quality healthcare? Those living in poverty are automatically at a disadvantage when it comes to health due to inequalities which can then lead to bad health. When discussing socioeconomic status’, it is always important to discuss the wealth-health gradient. The wealth-health gradient explains that the top 1% of society has better health than the bottom 5% (“Unnatural Causes”). However, no matter where you are on the ladder, if you are not at the top, your health will be worse off. Health experts have known for years that many people who live in poorer societies live shorter lives and have poorer health (“Inequality and Health”). This shorter life can be explained by an increased stress level of the poorer families. Many people with low socioeconomic status’ tend to work jobs that rank lower on the national scale. Which means their jobs tend to be more physically demanding which can lead to more stress (“Inequality and Health”). Poor and minority groups are known to suffer negative health effects from social and behavior determinants of health, such as, stress (Frieden). Stress is the …show more content…
Low income and minority populations may live in counties with particulate matter and ozone levels that exceed air quality standards (Whitehead 106). This happens because they cannot afford to live in better counties due their income. Their main concern is not looking for the best house or the house that is up to the best standards, they are looking for a house in the budget that they can afford. Due to their low-income, they are at risk for living in older homes and in impoverished areas (Whitehead 106). These impoverished areas tend to have more gas stations and corner stores and less grocery stores. They tend to have more access to liquor stores and less access to fresh fruit and healthy foods (“Unnatural Causes”). Living in these impoverished communities with low-income they are at a higher risk for living in a polluted area. Traffic-related air pollutions is a main factor of unhealthy air quality specifically in urban areas with high traffic volume (Frieden). Living in these areas have long term effects on the health of the residents living there. They are at an increased risk of developing asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or other respiratory problems. Researchers have discovered that low income and minority populations have a higher risk of air pollution exposure and risk (Frieden). Also, low income and minority populations are at the highest risk of living in