Social Class in the US Discussion

The three pieces of evidence that stood out to me in this week's materials are kinda fascinating and alarming at the same time:

1. The gaps between white and black mortality rates for the top 15 causes of death are like, seriously striking. According to Gus Wezerek's article "Racism's Hidden Toll," Black people in the United States have higher age-adjusted death rates than white people for about nine of the top 15 causes of death. This evidence highlights the deep-rooted disparities in health outcomes based on race and kind of reveals the long-standing neglect of Black Americans' health. It's a stark reminder that we urgently need to address these issues of systemic racism.

2. The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black communities is somewhat shocking. The article mentions how Black people are three times more likely to catch the coronavirus, six times more likely to be hospitalized due to it, and twice as likely to die from it compared to white people. This evidence really drives home the reality of racial health disparities and shows how racism can severely affect health outcomes. It's a wake-up call that we need to confront and dismantle systemic racism to ensure better health equity for everyone.

3. The historical impacts of residential segregation on Black health are like, incredibly eye-opening. The materials discuss how segregation led to overcrowded neighborhoods with subpar housing, sanitation, and healthcare facilities for Black people. This resulted in higher rates of diseases like tuberculosis and influenza. It's kinda disturbing to see how past policies and practices perpetuated such disparities and continue to affect health outcomes today. We must address the structural factors that contribute to these inequalities and work towards creating healthier and more equitable communities.

These pieces of evidence hit home because they shed light on the harsh reality of racial health disparities in the United States. They reveal the urgent need for transformative change to achieve a more just and equal healthcare system.