Unfortunately, when it comes to health, particular health challenges exist for minority groups despite the efforts of the government and non-profit organizations to create health equity. This is due to many factors, including socioeconomic factors, lack of access to healthcare, and even discrimination. It’s important to understand these health disparities and to support efforts to remove them.
What Is Heath Disparity?
Health disparity is a difference in health status among different groups of people. Some of these minority groups experience higher rates of particular chronic conditions and diseases, and lower life expectancies. Based on data from 2022, the life expectancy for African American people was around five years less than white people, and almost ten years shorter for American Indian and Alaskan Native people.
Common Health Challenges for Minorities
Several health conditions have particularly high rates among minorities.
- Obesity: According to the CDC, African American and Hispanic people have higher rates of obesity than white and Asian people. Obesity can lead to many other conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
- Heart Disease: Research by the CDC found that from 1999 to 2017, more African American people died from heart disease than any other group.
- Diabetes: Diabetes rates are highest among American Indian and Alaska Native people (13.6%), followed by African American people (12.1%), those of Hispanic origin (11.7%), Asians (9.1%) and white people (6.9%).
- Asthma: Asthma rates are higher among African American and Hispanic people than other groups.
- HIV and STDs: African American people have the highest rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases compared to all other groups.
Factors Leading to Health Disparities
Several categories of factors contribute to health disparities.
Socioeconomic Factors
Socioeconomic factors including income and education can affect health significantly. Lower income can lead to poor nutrition due to food insecurity and lack of access to healthy foods. Low quality or lack of housing also can lead to unsafe living conditions that impact health. Additionally, lack of transportation can impact the ability to access healthy food and healthcare.
In terms of education, lower levels of education are associated with a lack of knowledge about healthy eating and lifestyle.
Poverty and unemployment can also lead to excessive stress, which can have a variety of negative impacts on health.
Lack of Access to Healthcare
Minority groups tend to have higher uninsured rates, making it financially difficult to access healthcare. Lack of transportation, as mentioned, can also limit access to healthcare. Quality of healthcare is also a factor due to lack of insurance, and limited access to quality health care providers. Many rely on local free clinics alone to address healthcare needs.
Environmental Conditions
Minority groups are more likely to live in areas with higher air and water pollution levels, which can have a host of negative health consequences. Lead based paint in lower income housing also leads to higher rates of lead poisoning among minority children. Minority groups may also experience increased exposure to mold, rodent related allergens, and other allergens.
Additionally, minority groups may live in areas with a lack of access to parks, green spaces, and sidewalks, leading to lack of physical activity.
Discrimination
Discrimination can lead to health inequities in several ways. First, experiencing discrimination on a continuous basis is stressful, and unfortunately, all minority groups face discrimination. Second, discrimination can lead to the socioeconomic and environmental factors that negatively impact health.
Further, health care providers may discriminate against minority groups, sometimes dismissing their symptoms and giving inadequate attention to health concerns. Unfortunately this comes from racism that is still deeply rooted in our society. This discrimination can also lead to a mistrust of the healthcare system by minority groups, making them hesitant to seek healthcare.
Finally, language barriers can be a factor, with many health providers not making accommodations for people who speak other languages.
Culture
Some cultures have different beliefs about seeking professional healthcare, often relying on homeopathic or alternative treatments. Sometimes culture can also create a fear of the healthcare system. Additionally, different styles of communication between groups can lead to misunderstandings among healthcare providers and patients, which can lead to misdiagnosis and improper treatment.
Addressing Minority Health Challenges
Many government policies seek to address the health challenges that minorities face, both directly and indirectly. The Affordable Care Act, for example, expanded access to health care coverage. Many financial assistance and employment programs address the socioeconomic factors that lead to health challenges.
However, government programs have gaps that need to be filled, which many non-profit organizations seek to address. These organizations may provide nutritional education, make healthy foods more available, assist with medical transportation needs, and address socioeconomic factors.
Some organizations, such as Health Service Alliance, provide quality healthcare to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Issues like discrimination, however, are less tangible and harder to fix. Educational and structural changes are needed to remove discrimination and racism from healthcare and from our society as a whole.
In Closing
While the awareness of healthcare inequities is growing, as are initiatives to remove these inequities, there is still a long way to go. Everyone can contribute by supporting both government and non-profit activities that promote health equity.
If you are a minority and have health challenges, Health Service Alliance is here to help. If you would like to be a part of the health disparity solution, contact us to learn more.
