Why do we have health inequalities in different social groups?

Question

Why do we have health inequalities in different social groups?

Answer 1

Firstly, higher income groups have a head start in being healthy, because they are fed good food, live in a healthier environment, and are more likely to be able to get out in the fresh air and have free time to walk, cycle, atttend a gym and generally lead a healthier lifestyle. Higher income also gives them access to private health plans which will give them some priority over treatment,, timely intervention and getting the best drugs available.

Poorer groups will live in more crowded housing, pick up infections more easily, have a poor diet which is limited in vitamins. They may live in inner cities where the hospital and medical services are more pressured; there are more road accidents; children may be left on their own more and be more prone to problems. They will have less chance for a holiday.

Secondly, the wealthier are better educated and more self aware, and more self confident in their conversations with health professionals, so that they will ask the right questions, gain access to the best help.

Immigrant groups are generally poorer because of worse job opportunities, but they also are handicapped sometimes by their inability to speak and understand the language of their host country, which can also be a disadvantage in accessing healthcare.

There can also be discrimination by host country medical services ... for instance, black communities are often more easily identified as mentally ill because of cultural differences that the doctors do not understand.

However much a government tries to address these inequalities and tries to target the most disadvantaged groups, the above cultural factors still hold true.

Answer 2

Do you mean older people, because I can tell you why right now, it's because there are so many freaking illegals abusing our medical system that our elders can't afford health care (because medicare covers diddly squat) and they can't afford their meds. God help me if my grandparents or parents die, because of illegals. I will be coming after them and their children.

if you are talking about blacks, I don't think they have a lower quality of life. You may think that they are unequal in medical practices but there are just as many whites that can't afford health coverage for their children. At least if they are on welfare they get free treatment. And it's just as good as any other type of coverage. If not better. I think America should have public health care like Canada and other countries, but at the same time I also believe that it will cut down on the quality of care. It's a toss up, privatized or public, there's pro's and con's with both, but it's something people don't consider when making children.

Answer 3

Birds of a feather flock together. Some people can't afford health care and they spend time with others in the same tax bracket, some people don't believe in going to the doctor for every little sneeze and they spend time with people that feel the same way.