Heidi Camacho, First Source Citation

Citation:

Neilson, Susie. “The Gap Between Rich And Poor Americans’ Health Is Widening.” NPR, NPR, 28 June 2019, www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/06/28/736938334/the-gap-between-rich-and-poor-americans-health-is-widening. 

Summary:

The article by Susie Neilson talks about the differences there is in one’s health care based on their own income and even gender. The study’s conclusions show that, since 1993, Americans’ self-reported health has been worse across all demographic categories. Furthermore, during this time, variables including wealth, gender, and ethnicity have become more significant in predicting health outcomes. The healthiest subgroup was found to be white men in the highest income band, emphasizing the widening health disparity. Interestingly, the healthiest people’s health has not changed much, but the healthiest people’s health has declined dramatically. In order to combat income disparity both domestically and internationally, this report urges action to address larger societal inequality and makes legislative proposals, such as raising the minimum wage and reassessing the current tax structure. 

Reflection:

I do agree with what Neilson wrote. The general public, policymakers, and individuals with an interest in issues pertaining to social justice, health inequalities, and income inequality appear to be the author’s intended audience for this passage. The results of the study are presented in a style that is easily understood by a large audience. The author intends to increase awareness of the seriousness of the issue and encourage discussion and action by providing data, firsthand accounts, and professional viewpoints. The passage’s main goal is to educate and persuade readers of the importance of wealth disparity in the United States and its harmful consequences on public health. Neilson emphasizes that wealth inequality is a strong predictor of health disparities in addition to the fact that there hasn’t been much progress made toward attaining health equity during the previous 25 years. The message is quite clear: Improving public health outcomes requires tackling income inequality.

Quotation(s):

• “Finally, they calculated the gap between people’s health outcomes and that of the most privileged demographic: high-income white men.”
• “One 2016 study showed that the average life expectancy of U.S. men in the bottom 1% of income distribution is roughly equivalent to the life expectancy of someone in Sudan or Pakistan, whereas men in the top 1% of income outlive the average man in all other countries.”
• “ He says the study’s findings indicate a need for two broad policy recommendations: a revision of the minimum wage and a rethinking of our current taxation system.”