Health Disparities defined in Healthy People 2020: A particular type of health difference that is closely linked with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage. Health disparities adversely affect groups of people who have systematically experienced greater obstacles to health based on their racial or ethnic group; religion; socioeconomic status: gender, age, mental health. cognitive, sensory, or physical disability, sexual orientation or gender identity; geographic location; or other characteristics historically linked to discrimination or exclusion.
Choose a health disparity experienced by a population group in the United States. Use data to support this disparity. Conceptualize the health disparity by applying a social determinant of health framework described in Chapter 4. Figure 4.2.
Explain the health disparity using data through the application of the framework chosen. Use the framework diagram to explain the health disparity.
APA format no longer than 6 pages (including the title and reference page) with associated peer reviewed references.
Health Disparity in the United States: The Impact of Racism on the Health of African Americans
—>
Introduction:
Racism has been identified as a significant social determinant of health that has a significant impact on the health of African Americans in the United States. According to the Healthy People 2020 report, African Americans experience health disparities in a variety of areas, including infant mortality, cardiovascular disease, and HIV/AIDS. This paper will use data to explore the impact of racism on the health of African Americans and will conceptualize the health disparity using a social determinant of health framework.
Social Determinant of Health Framework:
The social determinant of health framework chosen for this paper is the one described in Chapter 4 of the Healthy People 2020 report. This framework includes five main categories of social determinants of health: economic stability, education, social and community context, health and health care, and neighborhood and built environment.
Health Disparity:
African Americans experience higher rates of infant mortality, cardiovascular disease, and HIV/AIDS than other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the infant mortality rate for African Americans is 11.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 5.9 deaths per 1,000 live births for white Americans. Similarly, African Americans are more likely to die from heart disease and stroke than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. Additionally, African Americans account for a disproportionate number of new HIV diagnoses and AIDS-related deaths.
Economic Stability:
One of the main social determinants of health that contributes to the health disparity experienced by African Americans is economic stability. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate for African Americans is 22.0%, compared to 8.1% for white Americans. This economic instability can lead to limited access to health care, healthy food, and safe housing, which can contribute to poor health outcomes.
Education:
Another social determinant of health that contributes to the health disparity experienced by African Americans is education. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, African Americans are less likely to have a high school diploma or higher level of education than other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Limited access to education can limit opportunities for economic stability and lead to poor health outcomes.
Social and Community Context:
The social and community context also plays a role in the health disparity experienced by African Americans. Racism and discrimination can lead to stress and trauma, which can contribute to poor health outcomes. Additionally, African Americans are more likely to live in neighborhoods with limited access to healthy food, safe housing, and quality health care, which can further contribute to poor health outcomes.
Health and Health Care:
Limited access to quality health care is another social determinant of health that contributes to the health disparity experienced by African Americans. According to data from the CDC, African Americans are less likely to have health insurance and less likely to receive preventive care than other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. This limited access to health care can lead to delayed or inadequate care and poor health outcomes.
Neighborhood and Built Environment:
The neighborhood and built environment can also contribute to the health disparity experienced by African Americans. According to data from the CDC, African Americans are more likely to live in neighborhoods with higher levels of air pollution, which can lead to poor health outcomes. Additionally, limited access to safe housing and parks and recreational facilities can contribute to poor health outcomes.
Conclusion:
Racism is a significant social determinant of health that has a significant impact on the health of African Americans in the United States. African Americans experience health disparities in a variety of areas
