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Health Disparities
Introduction to Health Disparities
Health disparities1 are preventable differences in the
burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal
health, experienced by socially disadvantaged populations. These disparities
are inequitable and directly related to the historical and current unequal
distribution of social, political, economic, and environmental resources.
Populations can be defined by factors such as race or ethnicity,
gender, education or income, disability, geographic location (i.e., rural or
urban), or sexual orientation.
Health disparities are related to inequities in education. Dropping out
of school is associated with multiple social and health problems.2-3
Overall, individuals with less education are more likely to experience a
number of health risks such as obesity, substance abuse, and intentional and
unintentional injury, compared to individuals with more education.4 Higher
levels of education are associated with a longer life and an increased
likelihood of obtaining or understanding basic health information and
services needed to make appropriate health decisions.5-7
At the same time, good health is associated with academic success. Health
risks such as teenage pregnancy, poor dietary choices, physical and
emotional abuse, inadequate physical activity, gang involvement, and chronic illness have a significant
impact on how well students perform in school.8-10
References
-
CDC.
Health disparities among racial/ethnic populations. Atlanta, GA:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2008.
- McCarty C, Mason W, Kosterman R, Hawkins J, Lengua L,
McCauley E. Adolescent school failure predicts later depression among
girls. Journal of Adolescent Health 2008;43:180–187.
- Ellickson P, Saner H, McGuigan K. Profiles of violent
youth: substance use and concurrent problems. American Journal of Public
Health 1997;87(6):985–991.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Healthy People 2010 Objectives: Educational and Community Based Programs;
2000.
- Liao Y, McGee D, Kaufman J, Cao G, Cooper R.
Socioeconomic status and morbidity in the last years of life. American
Journal of Public Health 1999;89(4):569–572.
- Jemal A, Thun M, Ward E, Henley J, Cokkinides V,
Murray T. Mortality from leading causes by education and race in the
United States, 2001. American Journal of Preventive Medicine
2008;34(1):1–8.e7.
- Breese P, Burman W, Goldberg S, Weis S. Education
level, primary language, and comprehension of the informed consent
process. Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics
2007;2(4):69–79.
- Valois R, MacDonald J, Bretous L, Fischer M, Drane J.
Risk factors and behaviors associated with adolescent violence and
aggression. American Journal of Health Behavior 2002;26(6):454–464.
- Stuart S, Sachs M, Lidicker J, Brett S, Wright A,
Libonati J. Decreased scholastic achievement in overweight middle school
students. Obesity 2008;16(7):1535–1538.
- Choi Y. Academic achievement and problem behaviors
among Asian Pacific Islander American adolescents. Journal of Youth and
Adolescence 2007;(36)4:403–415.
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