Health Disparities

Higher education affects a person’s ability to gain employment and income, which in turn improves their ability to practice positive health behaviors.  People with higher levels of education are more likely to be healthier and live longer. People without a high school or college education are less likely to get safe, high-paying jobs and more likely to have health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and depression.

In the United States, 1 in 10 people live in poverty, and many people can’t afford things like healthy foods, health care, and housing. Higher-paying, high-quality jobs result in greater economic security and improves a person’s ability to access and use preventative healthcare services. People who are employed are more likely to have health insurance which provides access to affordable healthcare services and subsidizes the cost of medication and treatments, which can be very costly, even for those who are insured. People with disabilities, injuries, or conditions like arthritis or sarcoidosis may be especially limited in their ability to maintain employment.

The neighborhoods people live in have a major impact on their health and well-being. Our health is not just affected by the physical characteristics of homes and housing units, but it is also affected by neighborhood conditions like air and water quality, community safety, affordability, and accessibility to fresh produce and healthy food options. Racial/ethnic minorities and people with low incomes are more likely to live in places with high rates of violence, unsafe air or water, and other health and safety risks. In addition, some people are exposed to things at work that can harm their health, like secondhand smoke, mold, heavy metals, and lead.

Social and community connections are essential for maintaining good health. People need to connect with one another to get the support they may need to get and stay healthy – both physically and emotionally. For people with chronic illnesses and disabilities, family support is even more critical to maintaining routine medical appointments and daily responsibilities. Additionally, having positive relationships at home, work, or within the community, can help counter the negative effects of day-to-day challenges and dangers they can’t control (e.g., unsafe neighborhoods, discrimination, financial hardships).

About 1 in 10 people in the United States don’t have health insurance. People who are underinsured or uninsured are less likely to have a primary care provider and may not be able to afford the health care services and medications they need. Furthermore, some people are unable to access the health care services they need, especially preventative services, because they don’t have a primary care provider or because they live too far from providers who offer the services needed.