Income Inequality In America Research Paper

In the year 2000, 133,000 people died due to poverty in the United States. Today, almost as many people die from poverty as from lung cancer (Sanders). According to recent data, individuals in the lowest-income groups and individuals in the least-educated groups, typically experience the worst health. A 2011 report prepared for Sen. Bernie Sanders reported that individuals in the highest income group are expected to live, on average, six and a half years longer than those in the lowest income group (Sanders). Americans in poverty are more likely to struggle with a wide array of health problems than other Americans. In this paper I will discuss how poverty in the United States has taken a toll on health and how income inequality in this country
ultimately puts Americans in the lowest-income groups at ``higher risks of health problems. First, I will briefly talk about the War on poverty . Second, I will discuss how the current policies, implemented as a result of the War on Poverty, do not fully address the negative health outcomes of individuals facing poverty. I will conclude by offering some recommendations as to how we can improve current policies to lessen the health gap between individuals of all social classes.
Background
The first response to poverty in the United States dates back to President Lyndon B.
Johnson’s State of the Union Address on January 8, 1964. On this day, President Johnson declared an “unconstitutional war” against poverty in America. At this time, more than 32 million Americans were in poverty and the poverty rate was 19%. In the years following President Johnson’s address, initiatives were taken in order to fight against human suffrage (poverty and its effects) in the United States and to reduce income inequality . Yet today, poverty and income inequality continue to be one of the greatest issues facing our country. More than 46 million Americans (more than 14 percent of the population) are living below the poverty line, the largest number on record, according to the report released by the Census Bureau (Census). Income inequality is ever-growing, and the practices and policies implemented as a result of poverty do not protect the wellbeing of poor Americans. In fact, we have reached a point in history where “children born in certain parts of the United States of America can expect to live shorter lives than their parent’s
generation”(Sanders).
Correspondingly, poor Americans are at a health disadvantage where they are more prominent to illness, disease and even death. Despite the common notion that the United States is a land of opportunity and equality, where everyone is given the means necessary to live a prosperous life, the truth is that the odds are stacked against those born into poverty. For instance, in the essay, “Serving Florida,” journalist and author, Barbara Ehrenreich offers a personal reflection showing that it is nearly impossible for Americans working in low wage jobs to survive. Ehrenreich ultimately proves that there exists a gap between classes, where blue collar Americans are living in terrible conditions, unable to afford simple necessities in life, and who are unable to experience many of the same privileges that more affluent Americans take for granted, especially when dealing with health. In fact, Ehrenreich mentions that what “might justify a day of ice packs and stretching” in her affluent American lifestyle (ordinary life), is not enough to stop her from working in her temporary blue-collar American life (Ehrenreich 270). Unlike many other Americans, people living in poverty are inclined to work, despite of their illnesses or injuries, because they cannot afford to lose the little money they make from their jobs. Consequently, they are at higher risk of suffering from serious health issues.
In fact, we are living in a political system where the government programs thought to assist low income Americans, are actually responsible for making sure that these individuals continue to be in poverty.
In the essay, “From America’s New Working Class,” political scientist and writer, Kathleen R. Arnold asserts that programs like welfare, that are designed to help fight poverty and income inequality, not only exploit low income Americans, but actually isolate them into areas where they are more prominent to illness and disease. Stating, “Recipients are not meant to rise even to lower-middle class,” Arnold insures that these federally funded programs threaten the existence of low income Americans (Arnold 234-43). Ultimately the policies implemented by the government in a response to poverty do not protect the well-being of poor Americans. In the essay “From The Great Divergence: America’s Growing Inequality Crisis and What We Can Do About It,” Timothy Noah argues that Wall Street has taken over the economy and that they have taken measures that profit them while at the same time hurting low income Americans. Noah exposes that a big reason why low income Americans are more prominent to illness is not because they do not take care of themselves, but rather because big corporations are responsible for polluting the environment these individuals live
in.
Current practices One of the leading causes for poor health outcomes of individuals living in poverty is influenced by the limitations of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Although many believe that the Food Stamp Program provides low income Americans enough currency for them to attain the necessary nutrients to maintain their well-balanced diet, the funds given to people receiving food stamps is not enough to prevent food related illnesses like Malnutrition, type II Diabetes, and Obesity. According to Dr. Paul Manganiello, Professor, Phycician, and a Volunteer at Good Neighbor Health Clinic, “the effects of poverty such as obesity can be due to the need to purchase foods and drinks that are high in carbohydrates” (Sanders). Although the Food Stamp program does give some financial assistance to low income individuals, it does not give them enough to get the nutrients necessary. Often families are forced to buy frozen food and junk food as an alternative to buying healthy food, like fruits and vegetables, in order to get the most out of what they are given. They cannot afford to let food go to waste so they seek for food that is long lasting (full of preservatives and unhealthy). Consequently, this frequently results in them buying foods that are directly correlated with type II diabetes and obesity. Also, poor Americans are in a health disadvantage because they are unable to live in the same comedies as other Americans. People living in poverty are more likely to living in environments that are more prominent to illness and disease. For instance, children living in poverty, are twice as likely as wealthier children to have unhealthy levels of led in their blood, which has been shown to affect behavioral and cognitive functioning . According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and prevention), Children living at or below the poverty line who live in older housing are at a higher risk (CDC). Substandard housing and health outcomes of the poor in the United States are inextricably linked. This is because substandard housing is associated with outcomes such as respiratory infections, lead poisoning, asthma, and other illnesses. Take Asthma for example. It is one of the major reasons for child hospitalizations and absenteeism from schools. The children who live in homes with mold and pests, like cockroaches, mice and rats can be especially prone to episodes requiring medical care (Wikipedia).
Recommendation
As poverty and income inequality continue to be prevalent in the United States, I recommend that multiple measures be taken in order to alleviate the impact poverty has on the health of Many Americans. Poverty in the United States is a major issue and reducing its effect on the health of low income individuals requires much effort on many fronts. Because poverty and poor health outcomes are directly associated, it is crucial that we take measures to protect the poor. My first recommendation is to rebuild the Food Stamp Program. Given that the cost of an average healthy meal is $7.48, the amount of food stamps given per individual should be raised in order to ensure that the recipients have enough to purchase a healthy meal. Not only would this help alleviate the rate of malnutrition the country is facing, but it would also help reduce other health issues like Obesity and Type II Diabetes. My second recommendation is that voters become informed of the consequences poverty and income inequality has on the lives of thousands of Americans. High death rates in the United States are influenced by factors including poverty, income inequality, low social status, stress, and early life-disadvantage.