Health Inequalities Flashcards
How does health insurance contribute to health inequalities in the USA?
Health insurance helps cover medical costs, but individuals often still pay a percentage of the costs.
Those without insurance or with insufficient coverage face high medical expenses, contributing to health inequality.
Example: People without insurance may delay necessary treatment, leading to worse health outcomes. Medicaid and Medicare cover lower-income individuals, but not everyone qualifies.
How does income affect health outcomes in the USA?
People in higher income brackets can afford better healthcare, nutrition, and healthier lifestyles, leading to longer life expectancy.
Low-income individuals often lack access to healthcare, resulting in poorer health outcomes.
Example: Men in the top 1% of income earners live 15 years longer than those in the bottom 1%, showing a direct link between income and health.
How does ethnicity impact health inequalities in the USA?
Ethnic minorities, such as Hispanics and Native Americans, are more likely to work in dangerous professions and experience poor health outcomes.
These groups often lack access to healthcare or live in areas with fewer health resources.
Example: 24% of forestry workers are Hispanic, and Native Americans are significantly more likely to suffer from alcoholism and diabetes.
Why is maternal and infant health worse for Black Americans?
Black women are more likely to experience health complications like heart disease, breast cancer, and pregnancy-related issues.
The health system often provides inadequate care or faces implicit biases, leading to higher health risks.
Example: Infant mortality is twice as high for Black Americans as for White Americans, illustrating the disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.
How does access to health insurance impact children in the USA?
Children in low-income households often lack health insurance, leading to unmet healthcare needs.
Health insurance is critical for regular checkups, vaccinations, and treatment of illnesses.
Example: In 2021, 3.9 million children under 19 lacked health insurance, demonstrating the challenges faced by families in poverty.
How does the risk of Type 2 Diabetes vary by ethnicity in the USA?
Ethnic minorities, such as Black and South Asian populations, are more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes at younger ages compared to White Americans.
These groups often face poorer access to healthcare, affecting early diagnosis and management of the disease.
Example: Black Americans are more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes from the age of 25, whereas the risk for White Americans increases after 40.
. How does gender affect mental health in the USA?
Women are more likely to report mental health issues such as depression, leading to higher diagnoses in some regions.
Gender roles and expectations can contribute to stress and a lack of mental health support for women.
Example: In Alaska, depression rates are nearly three times higher in women (19.2%) compared to men (6.6%) over the age of 65, possibly linked to lifestyle and gender-specific roles.
