Health Disparities in the Diverse Population of the United States
According to a Census by the Bureau of Population of the United States of America in 2017, an estimated 58.80 million Hispanics are residing in the country.
Health disparity is a problematic issue for many communities in the community. Health disparity means the deviance of health that is related to social and economic shortcomings. This negatively affects groups of people such as Latino communities which are socially and economically challenged for their ethnic group. Some of those affected by this issue are those which are disadvantaged for their gender, disabilities, age, gender identities, and location.
The negative effects of these health disparities are not isolated in these communities or groups but it affects the entire nation's growth and advancement.
According to a survey by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, diabetes is the number one health issue of Latinos followed by cancer. Many websites are providing tips on how people can have better lifestyles and possibly prevent such diseases.
The place where a person lives has a high chance of affecting his or her health. Attaining good health does not only come after going to the doctor when you get sick. The places that you frequently visit every day can greatly impact your health.
A healthy environment inside and outside of homes promote healthy communities. It was reported that a fifth of the cases of asthma is connected to mold and the levels of moisture inside homes. Some communities with a high number of recorded violence prevent children and other members of the neighborhood to exercise. The diet of poor families affects their intake of nutritious foods.
The conditions of the environment where a person grew up in, live in, and work plays a significant role in the health of a person.
The access to sufficient nutritious foods, appropriate housing, workplace safety measures implementation, safe neighborhoods to encourage people to walk, safe and affordable public vehicles, and clean air and water can positively improve Latino health and other groups in the country.
At home, some risk factors may be lead poisoning. Some old houses had used paint with lead content. Lead is a dangerous substance for children aged one to five. Lead negatively affects the development of their nervous system including the brain. Long exposure to lead can lead to cognitive impairments and difficulties in learning.
In the workplace, many low-income earners are not given paid sick leaves compared to the high-earning workers in the country. This is one reason why most of the poor are not encouraged to seek healthcare services.
In schools, the students of poor neighborhoods are spending lesser time in the playground compared to richer communities. Meals are also healthier for richer neighborhoods than in poorer ones.
The population of the United States of America is continuously increasing especially its diverse communities. This is also affecting a greater disparity among its citizens. Thus, affecting the nation's economic growth and advancement. The government should implement intense measures such as providing preventive care and other care services to its diverse population to reverse this growing issue in the country.
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