IMPACTS OF ECONOMIC INEQUALITY ON HEALTH AMONG PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT RACES IN THE USA
INTRODUCTION
It is evident that the economic inequality in the USA and the modern world at large keeps on increasing. This aspect is characterized with the rich people getting
richer and the less fortunate in the society not doing any better compared to their counterparts. According to (Gans, 2016), economy and health have both direct and
indirect impacts on each other and a deprivation in one contributes to similar effects on the other. Economic status of individuals and populations is crucial for
other aspects that determine the wellbeing of the affected people. Therefore, I intend to unveil the real image of how the economic inequality impacts on the health
outcomes of people from different racial backgrounds. The main goal of this research will be to determine the factors behind varying health outcomes as a result of
varying economic stability between different races in the USA. The specific objectives of the research will be reflected in the research questions.
INTEREST
As earlier mentioned, the economy of a nation is a huge determinant of health which is arguably the most valuable asset that any person could ask for. Partly,
the reason behind the selection of economic inequality as the major topic of study is the recently reported gap between the poor and the rich. According to New York
Times on January 16th, 2017, the eight richest people in the world own as much wealth as half of the world’s population in the lower half of the income. In the year
2016, similar wealth was held by 62 highest earners indicating an alarming increase in the gap between the rich and the poor. Notably, the eight individuals are white,
an element that reflects how the rest of the global wealth is distributed, of which it is not these individuals fault.
In the USA, there exists health policies such as the affordable care act that were earlier designed to ensure that the economically disadvantaged people would
equitably access quality healthcare. However, with a new regime, such acts have been among the policies that President Trump looks forward to revoke. This will most
definitely leave a void in enhancing access to health among the poor people and thus, new policies would have to be set in place. This are just but a few reasons as to
why I am interested in seeking the health access bottlenecks that come with economic inequality between the minority and majority races.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The research questions that I intend to use in coming up with a clear image on the extent of economic inequality along the race lines include:
What is the current state of the economic inequality along the racial lines in the USA compared to other developed nations?
How does economic inequality affect the health?
How does the health status of different races compare in the USA?
What measures can enhance health through equitable economic empowerment across all races?
KEYWORDS
Economic inequality, health disparities between races, affordable healthcare.
WORKPLAN
To complete this research in time and prepare the findings, I have developed a work plan that involves utilizing an hour for any of the three weekdays to
collect the information required and 2 hours on Saturday for writing the week’s findings. This will allow me to access the resource centers such as the libraries that
may not be operational on weekends.
SOURCES
The primary source of information that I need to complete this study are the library texts that touch on the health effects resulting from economic
inequalities and also the academic journals that unveil the current status of economic inequality. The primary sources and their previews are provided below.
Mode, Nicolle A., Michele K. Evans, and Alan B. Zonderman. “Race, Neighborhood economic status, income inequality and mortality.” PloS one, vol. 11, no. 5, 2016, pp.
21-26. PLOS, 10.1371/journal.pone.0154535
Gans, Herbert J. “Reducing Economic Inequality: A Bottom-Up Approach.” Challenge, vol. 59, no. 2, 2016, pp. 148-152. Taylor&Francis Online,
doi.org/10.1080/05775132.2015.1137718.
