What Impacts Health and Life Expectancy - Essay Example

Health and THESIS MENT The purpose of this essay is to analyse the graphs which are based on understanding health and life expectancy. Furthermore, the essay also discusses connections between graphs and defines with theories of Richard Wilkinson, Michael Marmot and Leonard Sagan. ASSIGNMENT 1 (a) The first figure represents life expectancy at birth by Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white and other races in the United States (US) in 2010. By analysing the graph, it can be observed that the Hispanic population has higher level of life expectancy in comparison with non-Hispanic white and black population. Concerning the non-Hispanic black and white population, the graph reveals that the life expectancy is quite similar in these two races. In the figure, the key reason for variation is attributed to differences in income and health condition. People having low level of income have poor health conditions as compared to people with high income which has significant impact on life expectancy rate at birth. Since, the poverty and health condition of white-Hispanics are closer to black-Hispanics hence, their life expectancy rate at birth are also closer to each other. On the contrary, the US Hispanic population has low level of poverty and good health condition which validate their high life expectancy at birth (Hummer and Hernandez 2-15). The second figure represents percentage of adults with educational attainment with respect to race from 1996 to 2008 in the US. From analysing the graph, it is apparent that overall Hispanic adults demonstrates low rate of high school achievement in comparison to adults of other racial groups. However, non-Hispanic whites have been demonstrated as having high percentage of high school education than other adults of different races. In the similar context, Asian/ Pacific Islanders also found to have high percentage of education comprising bachelor’s degree. These variations with respect to educational attainment among the adults of various race groups can be attributed to culture and societal pattern (Hummer and Hernandez 2-15). The third figure signifies mortality rate differences of individuals with above 17 years of education of the US female by race. The graph demonstrates educational variances in adult mortality among people of various age groups, racial groups and gender. On the other hand, in the third graph, there are also certain variations that advocate educational accomplishment may be working rather inversely across the population of different subsections to affect mortality. The variance in mortality rate is observed predominately due to the educational differences. Since educational attainment is observed differently among different subcategories such as races and ethnic groups and it also have profound impact on the mortality rate. The causes of such mortality rate are attributed to increased illnesses as an outcome of many fatal diseases (Hummer and Hernandez 2-15). Two key connections have been observed from the three graphs. First is that there exists certain racial differences in education, where Hispanics are more likely to complete higher education and bachelor degree than non-Hispanics. And, the second connection is that the education has positive relationship with life expectancy where Hispanics are found to have high life expectancy than non-Hispanics population in the US. (b) One significant limitation for validity is that scientific community recognises almost nothing regarding the relationship between quality or component of education and mortality. There is a greater need to gather quality information in order to unpack the reason that represents educational attainment is strongly related with mortality and longevity. Furthermore, there is also requirement for understanding why certain group of individuals have high educational level while other group is unable to complete high school. Apart from these limitations, there is also other drawback in the context of understanding the relationship between educational accomplishment and range of other social and cultural characteristics such as income, family structure and profession among others (Hummer and Hernandez 2-15). (c) Educational attainment can act as independent variable for evaluating structured social inequality and health inequality of ethnic sub division. Although there are different factors which are related with social disadvantage and health however, education has strong relationship with these variables. The reason is that people with low attainment of education tend to have poor income background. These people also tend to live in rural areas with urban deficiency which is characterised by poor housing facilities and overcrowding among others. These factors not only represent social inequality, but also lead to poor health condition among individuals (Hummer and Hernandez 2-15). B Concerning the pattern of general development of health, significant irregularities have been observed. Considerable level of researches has been conducted in order to recognise the reasons for such irregularities in health circumstances. While certain authors stated factors such as race as key reason for inequality, others demonstrated socio cultural behaviour of individuals as main aspect for inequality. From the graphs described above, it is clear that even in wealthy nations such as the US, people face short life expectancy and high level of illnesses. The differences in health conditions among the different racial/ethnic groups validate unequal distribution of longevity. These inequalities are not inevitable as rapid development in health in some nations and low level of development in others suggest that changes in social and environmental aspects can bring about considerable changes for better longevity. According to the study of Richard Wilkinson, high quality of life is better achieved by minimizing poverty and reducing the income distribution among people. Since, health is sensitive to the qualitative and quantifiable aspect of both physical and social transformation, it has been claimed that they represent better guide to the life quality and health. His theory justifies aspects denoted in the figure one. Richard Wilkinson stated that income differences are vital reason for inequalities in health and longevity. His research demonstrated that where income differences between wealthy and poor individuals are low, the life expectancy is stronger. Furthermore, lower differences income inequality also has considerable relationship with homicide rates and health conditions. His theory also support the evidences represented in figure two. He has stated that the problem of unequal distribution of longevity cannot be solved through economic growth only. Although economic growth is vital for health improvement but there is also requirement for increased literacy. He has also stated that the key contribution of health inequalities arrives from psychological and emotional outcome of social status. The stress of low social status can generate psychological effect which has negative impact on the health condition of the people (Syme 79-86). Another writer named Michael Marmot has provided a framework in order to understand the health inequalities. His thought challenges the reason for unequal distribution of longevity. Michael Marmot has stated that poverty is a key reason for health inequality, rather than class or race. Concerning poverty, he has demonstrated that it is more than just lack of money. For him poverty also signifies lack of prospect, empowerment and safety. Indeed, dignity also has strong claim for consideration for people who are concerned with poor health conditions. Much of his discussion regarding inequality in health is concentrated on disadvantaged classes. His views on mortality and sickness suggest that only low level of income is not related with poor health condition rather relative denial or relative lack of access to wealthy civilisation also explain the health differentials among individuals (Marmot 197-216). Leonard Sagan has also developed significant view regarding the factors which impact on life expectancy of individuals. His thought has challenged the theoretical explanation of third figure. Leonard Sagan has revealed his firm argument regarding the correlation of higher level of education with higher income that is often advocated to provide individuals with better health circumstances. In contrast, Sagan believes that there are differences among social class which impact on the life expectancy rate of people. He has demonstrated that the most important social factor which determines the health is family structure. The contemporary parenting behaviour has had a considerable and generally identified impact on health and development of people, particularly children. Sagan has also demonstrated that improved health and longevity is mostly because of psychological aspects that have developed and strengthened in the society. Thus, in order to develop the health conditions of people and to enhance the life expectancy rate, Sagan has concentrated on the requirement to strengthen social aspects to have verifiable connection with health and longevity. Prosperous family structures can lead to wider education, higher self-confidence and sound financial condition which would eventually lead to better health of people (Sagan 3-184). Works Cited Hummer, Robert A. and Elaine M. Hernandez. ‘The Effect of Educational Attainment on Adult Mortality in the United States’. Population Bulletin 68.1 (2013): 2-15. Print. Marmot, Michael G. ‘Social Differentials in Health within and Between Populations.’ Daedalus 123.4 (1994): 197-216. Print. Syme, S. Leonard. ‘The Social Environment and Health’. Daedalus 123.4 (1994): 79-86. Print. Sagan, Leonard A. The Health of Nations: True Causes of Sickness and Well-Being. United States: Basic Books. Read More