|
Back to home » Archives » December 2011
 
This Is Sick
by Cristina González
A widening wealth gap between blacks and whites means more health care casualties.
As a brutal recession picks pockets clean, new research shows minorities are bearing the brunt of it. According to the Pew Research Center, the median wealth of white households is a whopping 20 times that of black households, making this the largest racial wealth gap in 25 years.
In addition, the disparity has created a health crisis for African Americans, a group that’s already disproportionately hit harder by HIV/AIDS, strokes and heart disease. The lack of wealth translates into a lack of health care. Since poor minorities can’t easily afford available health services and meds, such as blood pressure screenings and cholesterol-controlling drugs that could help prevent serious health conditions, they don’t get treated until diseases advance. And when acute illnesses strike, poor African Americans often don’t have insurance to pay for treatment.
And it’s not just health that’s affected: Research shows more poor minorities live in areas exposed to polluted air, water, food and land, and they have less access to parks, playgrounds and fresh food.
While the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. health care reform, should help narrow the gap, advocates work to end disparities across the board—in health care and services, employment, education, criminal justice—and to focus on correcting their root causes.
Search: Pew Research Center, African Americans, recession, HIV/AIDS, strokes, heart disease, blood pressure, cholesterol, Affordable Care Act, health care reform
Scroll down to comment on this story.
Show comments (0 total)
|
 |
 |
Coming of Age |
|
|
It’s not that women mind getting older, says actress and entrepreneur Vivica A. Fox, they just don’t want to look it!
|
|
|
Shocks to the System |
|
|
Many terrifying events can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder, but domestic abuse is often overlooked as one of them.
|
|
|
A Hairy Issue |
|
|
What good is sporting a cute hairstyle if it keeps you from working out and staying fit?
|
|
|
Stuff We Love—Winter 2011 |
|
|
A roundup of the latest, must-have finds for hair, skin, health and beauty, these products are worth every cent.
|
|
|
Scary Stuff |
|
|
Fears can be irrational (and impractical), but the shivers and racing heartbeat you feel are for real.
|
|
|
Start Out Small |
|
|
How Lolisa Gibson, an HIV educator and author of a book, The Way I See It, faced her fear of ostracism.
|
|
|
The Expert Says |
|
|
Fear can be debilitating, says Kent State University psychologist Angela Neal-Barnett, PhD. But with a little help, you can overcome anxiety—and improve your life overall.
|
|
|
Ask the Sexpert |
|
|
Sexologist Rachael L. Ross, MD, PhD, a.k.a. Dr. Rachael answers your questions.
|
|
|
Inside Action |
|
|
Do imprisoned black men get better health care than those on the outside?
|
|
|
This Is Sick |
|
|
A widening wealth gap between blacks and whites means more health care casualties.
|
|
|
Yaaawn! |
|
|
The urge to do this doesn’t always mean you’re bored or want to catch a few zzz’s, according to scientists.
|
|
|
Last Breath? |
|
|
Don’t let allergies mean life or death for your child.
|
|
|
Weighing In |
|
|
Do personality traits power pounds off and on?
|
|
|
|
