Critical Analysis #8 - Isabelle Wong

 HEALTH INEQUALITY

When discussing racial differences in health outcomes, we are talking about society’s systematic differences regarding access to healthcare and the results of health outcomes. It means that there are differences between the different races in terms of their healthcare quality and type, and also the societal effects of racial inequality. There are certain racial or ethnic groups that experience vastly different rates of health conditions and/or mortality compared to white Americans. However, these differences are due to inequalities in social determinants of health (HDFS 280 L16, slide 14). 

Some factors that perpetuate health inequalities that I was not aware of before this week were housing discrimination, employment discrimination, and discriminatory healthcare practices. I had never thought about how restricted homeownership would have led to a greater inability to generate wealth and stability, and in turn, cause people to potentially struggle with their own health. If people are low-income and unable to afford doctor’s appointments, then they would probably brush off their concerns because they have greater worries to think about. Also, there are discriminatory healthcare practices in the US today. For example, statistically, black pregnant females can be mistreated and neglected for care at hospitals while in labor. I remember learning about how some nurses and doctors didn’t believe that they were really in that much pain, and some of the women even died because of medical neglect. One way that we could reduce the effects of these factors to improve health equity is to have equal treatment of patients in hospitals by having a sort of “two-step verification” process so that healthcare providers could have a checks and balances system for the care they provide. That way, there can be multiple individuals who verify the work of another healthcare professional so that people can best get the help they need. Another way we could improve health equity is by having more public “check-up” sessions for community members. My hometown does a yearly event where they check people’s hearing and teeth, while also providing free physicals for K-12 athletes. This is an engaging and beneficial way to provide for people who may not be able to afford these things normally, and I think this could let people know if there is something that they should be aware of, health-wise.

Some theories and hypotheses that could help understand and explain racial/ethnic health disparities are that people already have dispositions about certain racial groups and because of that, there is an inequality in the level of care that they are given. For example, in a more positive manner, people know that gingers are more resistant to anesthesia, so people with red hair are typically given more of an anesthetic drug. Negatively, women who are in a low-income socioeconomic status may be disregarded by the medical staff because the staff might think they are just being dramatic or they secretly have some sort of addiction. 

Environmental racism is defined in the L16 notes as “the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on communities of color and low-income populations, often resulting from discriminatory policies and practices”.  It is linked to health inequality because of how people in these communities are often treated. We learned in class that in a neighborhood near Hollywood, oil drilling is VERY close to these low-income communities and many face health problems and difficulties because of their close proximity to the oil rigs. Another example is in Flint, Michigan, which faced a water crisis when the water sources of the city were switched to the Flint River, which was filled with lead and led to much contamination for the city residents. However, this city is predominantly black, which means that there was a disproportionate impact on black Americans as compared to white Americans. 

Some racial/ethnic health disparities and experiences are connected with other forms of inequality because of intersectionality. For example, a black individual may be taken less seriously about pain than a white individual at the hospital, but a black woman might be neglected far more than a white man would. Also, in terms of education, those who are high school drop-outs and did not receive a college education may be less informed about different kinds of health issues or problems, and not know how to address them. For most college graduates, they would have had to take some gen-ed (general education) classes during this first semester or year of college, and would likely be more informed about how to make healthier choices and options. Also, like what we discussed in class, lower-income individuals are less likely to have healthier food options because they cannot afford it. And if they have to work, they may have less time to go to the gym and workout. Not having access to healthy and clean food, or time to exercise, could lead to higher rates of obesity and heart failure as a result. 

There are many different aspects of health inequality that needs to be addressed in the US today. However, these types of conversations and education about the subject is a crucial first step in making the world a more equal place for all to have access to healthcare.