Socioeconomic Status and Health: Is there a Connection?

Is there a relationship between a White American’s socioeconomic status and his health?


Scientists and researches have spent years debating on whether the socioeconomic status of white individuals in the United States has a direct influence on their health. Some scientists believe that there is no correlation at all between the two, while others claim that there are a variety of surveys, case studies, and other forms of data collected from White Americans that in fact confirm this relationship.

What is Socioeconomics??

Position in Society + Income + Education. . . . = Socioeconomic Status

When scientists discuss the socioeconomic status of an individual, they are talking about an individual’s status in society. Socioeconomics has many different components and definitions. A person’s socioeconomic status is based on his social and economical status, meaning the individual’s position in society and how comfortable he is money-wise. Another definition of an individual’s socioeconomic status is based on a combination of income, level of education, status in the community, etc. The higher an individual is in one of these categories, the higher the overall socioeconomic status. All of these components are usually corresponding. For example, a person with a high level of education most likely makes more than an individual with a lower level of education.

-Income and Position in Society

Now that we understand the definition(s) of socioeconomics, we can begin by investigating its relationship with health.


















Studies have shown that individuals with a higher income and standards of living have longer life spans than those with lower. This is partly due to because those with higher income have less stress related illnesses. Stress causes, insomnia, headaches and migraine, hypertension, and even dangerous behavior like binge eating and self mutilation.

-Income and Position in Society CONTD

Richer White Americans also have better access to healthier foods. The average cost of fruits and vegetables to feed one person for one meal, for example, is more expensive than it is to feed the same person under the same requirements with junk food. The Journal of American Diabetic Association believes that this is one reason why diabetes is found primarily in low and middle-class individuals than the rich and upper class.

-EDUCATION

Education is also a very important factor in determining an individual’s health. Holding seminars and special programs for the community can surely help to eliminate many preventable diseases and illnesses from occurring and risky behavior from taking place. Some of these preventable diseases and risky behavior include "the prevention of substance abuse, increasing the use of cancer-screening services, the control of sexually transmitted disease, the prevention of unwanted pregnancy, and childhood and adult immunization."

But the other factors of socioeconomics come into the equation when talking about education. The communities of poorer white areas may have more important issues to ponder than how educated the people are about certain issues. Not only does prevention and awareness have to be addressed, but low quality education, an increase in violence, and high unemployment rates are some of other important issues that require attention. This further explains how socioeconomics influences a white individual’s health.

Does Socioeconomics Influence Health???

YES!!

-Better education = more informed about simple prevention techniques
-higher position in society = less money-related stress (theoretically)
-greater income = better health insurance
-better education = less likely to participate in risky behavior (unprotected sexual activity)
-greater income = healthier foods