Choi, L., Erickson, D., Griffin, K., Levere, A. & Seidman, E. (2015). What it’s Worth: Strengthening the financial future of families, communities and the nation. Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and CFED.
Summary
The author notes that there is a strong connection between financial health and physical and mental health. Based on a study conducted in 2015 by the American Psychological Association dubbed “Stress in America Survey”, money was the most stressful aspect in people’s lives, followed by work, family and health. The study observed that lack of finances affects their ability to lead a healthy lifestyle. Lack of enough finances also harms children's lives. In one study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2011, the findings indicated that children's exposure to poverty and stress is associated with long-term effects on their behaviour, health, and development. Further, scientists have identified differences in brain structures and functioning of children exposed to poverty. In such cases, children are sensitive to mild stress and are unable to learn new information. Besides, children who experience toxic stress are more likely to experience adverse behavioural and health outcomes during adolescence and adulthood.
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There is a close connection between the wealth and health in nations. For example, while the US is among the world's wealthiest nations, the health sector lags behind other industries in the country. Poor health is associated with limited access to healthcare, lack of affordability, drug use, violence, high-calorie diets, lack of physical exercise, poverty, income inequality, low economic mobility and weak social safety net. The health disparities in the US are unlikely to be solved by the generation of social policies, such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). A case study would be the United Kingdom which has offered universal healthcare services since the 1940's but still experiences disparities in healthcare access between people in high-status jobs and those down the employment scale.
Response
I agree with the author that there is a close connection between having enough finances and the level of physical and mental health in an individual. Lack of finances leads to long-standing stress that exposes individuals to physical and psychological disorders. The effect of finances on health is not a reserve for adults but also negatively impacts the lives of children who grow in poverty. This effect begins in childhood and extends to adolescence and adulthood. Addressing the social and economic factors related to poverty and lack of finances is the most reasonable and objective way to solve the health disparities in nations.
I also support the author’s sentiments that acute stress acts as an adaptive response that enables people to develop mental and physical resources to cope with stressful situations. In the case of long term stress, however, the stress response turns off, and the body cannot cope with the stressful situation. This happens when the body system is overwhelmed by a stressful situation. This explains why children exposed to adverse childhood experiences such as physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence and neglect are likely to suffer from social and emotional health problems later in life. Additionally, these children are likely to engage in risky behaviours such as drug and substance abuse, gambling, risky sexual activities and overeating to cope with the stressful events.
Clay, R. A. (2001). Wealth secures health. American Psychological Association. 32(9): 78.
Summary
The author states that health disparities exist even in countries with universal health coverage. Americans living within the upper economic levels experience fewer health problems and longer lives than the poor. This portrays that individual's socioeconomic status has a significant effect on health. Epidemiological studies posit a close relationship between income, education and occupation with individual health outcomes. The Whitehall study involving British civil servants found a reduced risk of death with increased rank in the labour system. This indicates that individuals with low socioeconomic status have a higher risk of experiencing physical and psychological health issues. One factor related to this association is the behavioural and environmental differences among people. In this case, individuals from the low economic classes are likely to engage in risky behaviours such as smoking, eating high-calorie foods and lack of engagement in physical exercises.
Low socioeconomic status among ethnic and racial minorities explains why these groups experience poor health status than whites. In this case, racism heightens the vulnerability of racial and ethnic minorities to adverse health outcomes. Racism affects individual health through the biological and psychological domains. Psychologically, racism affects individuals self-concept and in turn their wellbeing. The biological factors such as anger, emotions and self-doubt cause endocrinological, hemodynamic and immunological changes in the body. These psychological and biological factors interact to undermine people’s health outcomes. Individuals from low socioeconomic status suffer from socioeconomic stress syndrome. People suffering from this syndrome experience anxiety, depression and dissociation due to the socioeconomic insults and injuries that have not been handled. Since individuals cannot openly talk about the effect of class in their lives, the class-related traumas can only be expressed through psychological disorders.
Response
I support the sentiments raised in this article. More importantly, the author develops a close relationship between the economic status of racial and ethnic minorities and adverse health outcomes. Individuals from minority races are usually disadvantaged in terms of socioeconomic status due to low educational achievement, lack of employment and involvement in criminal behaviours leading to a high rate of incarcerations. Due to these life eventualities, racial and ethnic minorities are likely to live in poverty and endure low economic statuses. This, in turn, exposes them to the risk of chronic diseases and lack of access to appropriate healthcare services. People from racial and ethnic minorities are likely to suffer from significant physical and psychological disorders that cause early morbidities and mortalities.
References
Choi, L., Erickson, D., Griffin, K., Levere, A. & Seidman, E. (2015). What it’s Worth: Strengthening the financial future of families, communities and the nation. Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and CFED.
Clay, R. A. (2001). Wealth secures health. American Psychological Association. 32(9): 78.
