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Critical Thinking Exercise
Poverty and Health Disparities

When systemic issues of health access and reform are investigated, many questions arise. Health disparities are based on a number of factors and contexts. Poverty, for example, has been directly related to both physical and mental health outcomes. For instance, in the Healthy People 2020 report, one specific study that addressed social determinants of identified poverty status in the United States utilized data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/data-search/Search-the-Data#objid=5249). In 2014, almost 15% of the United States population met the necessary criteria for living in poverty. The U.S. Census Bureau recognizes “poverty status” based on money income, excluding any federal or state benefit (e.g., food stamps), and overall family size. In 2010, for a two-child family, with two parents living in the home, the poverty threshold was set at $22,113.

Go to https://www.healthypeople.gov and explore the website before answering the questions below.

1 of 4

Name two goals of the Department of Health and Human Services initiative noted in the Healthy People 2020 report, and provide examples of each.
Two goals associated with the Department of Health and Human Services initiative include developing social and physical environments that advocate for general well-being, and reducing chances of premature death. An example of creating a social and physical environment advocating health would be including multiple medical facilities and recreational facilities in contemporary urban planning that would be affordable to all patrons within a given community. Funding could be from private donations or through a taxation program. An example of limiting premature death may focus on a certain number of free well-care visits for all residents in an effort to identify and treat sickness.

2 of 4

The Healthy People 2020 report found that a higher percentage of residents in nonmetropolitan areas, when compared to metropolitan-area residents, met the poverty threshold. (a) Name two possible reasons for this finding. (b) How does this finding relate to potential health outcomes for those residents?
Nonmetropolitan areas tend to have more limited and more competitive job markets, and therefore many people vie for the same position. Additionally, because the cost of living is lower in nonmetropolitan areas, compensation may be limited and not able to satisfy the needs of a family. Because nonmetropolitan areas also tend to have fewer health facilities and resources, residents in these communities may experience more sickness and poorer prognoses. If they cannot afford to see the doctor, they are likely to have less desirable health outcomes.

3 of 4

In the Healthy People 2020 report, what is the difference between poverty status for those with a disability and those without a disability? Explain the trend.
The Healthy People 2020 report noted that individuals with disabilities that affect activities of daily living (e.g., dressing themselves, housekeeping, preparing meals, driving) are more likely to meet poverty status than those with disabilities that do not affect those activities. This trend appears stable over the 2010–2014 term, and thus suggests that specific initiatives targeting the health and well-being of disabled individuals whose independence is limited are needed. Higher percentages of poverty may occur with individuals with disabilities that affect their daily living tasks because they have limited job opportunities or they may be less likely to be hired.

4 of 4

In 2016, the poverty threshold was raised to $24,300 from the 2010 threshold of $22,113 for a two-parent, two-child household. What could be some reasons for this change?
The standard of living and the cost of living have increased over the last six years. In addition, the cost of running a household has also increased.