Week 5: Health Disparities And Poverty - Play Spent Act
Week 5: Health Disparities General Poverty 1. Play Spent Activity
The assignment requires a comprehensive examination of various aspects of health disparities related to poverty, including an experiential activity, policy analysis, and community data review. Participants are asked to simulate living in poverty via the "Spent" activity, analyze the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on health disparities, explore food insecurity and programs like SNAP, and examine homelessness from multiple perspectives. The objective is to synthesize these topics to understand the multifaceted nature of poverty-related health issues and consider policy solutions and community interventions.
Paper For Above instruction
Understanding health disparities within the context of poverty is crucial for addressing inequities in health outcomes. The "Spent" activity provides an immersive experience, allowing individuals to confront the difficult decisions faced by those living in poverty. During this simulation, I attempted to manage a limited budget over a month, making choices about rent, food, transportation, and healthcare. I found that money often ran out before the end of the month, prompting tough decisions such as whether to prioritize rent or buy nutritious food. The experience induced feelings of stress, frustration, and empathy, highlighting the precariousness of living paycheck to paycheck and the constant threat of falling deeper into hardship.
The COVID-19 pandemic has starkly revealed and exacerbated existing health disparities in the United States. Vulnerable populations—such as racial and ethnic minorities, low-income families, and those with limited access to healthcare—suffered disproportionately from COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths (Williams et al., 2020). Structural factors, including income inequality, limited access to quality healthcare, crowded living conditions, and employment in essential sectors, contributed to these disparities. Policy recommendations to address these issues include expanding healthcare coverage through Medicaid expansion, increasing funding for community health programs, and implementing targeted vaccination campaigns to reach underserved populations (Gould & Wilson, 2020). Additionally, strengthening social determinants of health—such as housing, education, and employment—can help reduce vulnerabilities exposed during health crises.
Food insecurity remains a significant challenge, especially among low-income households. According to the FDA, food insecurity is defined as the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food (FDA, 2021). Populations at highest risk include families with children, racial minorities, the elderly, and individuals living in rural areas (Coleman-Jensen et al., 2021). Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are vital in improving food access by providing financial assistance to purchase nutritious food. Other initiatives, such as food banks and school meal programs, complement SNAP efforts and help combat food insecurity at the community level (USDA, 2021). These programs are essential for reducing health disparities, as food insecurity is linked to chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, which are prevalent in underserved populations.
The issue of homelessness is complex, involving a range of factors including economic hardship, lack of affordable housing, mental health issues, and substance abuse. The National Coalition for the Homeless indicates that homelessness affects individuals from diverse backgrounds, including families, veterans, and youth. The number of homeless individuals in the U.S. exceeds half a million, with many experiencing chronic homelessness (NCH, 2022). Homelessness profoundly impacts health, as individuals often lack access to basic healthcare, proper nutrition, and hygiene, leading to higher rates of infectious diseases, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders. Policy recommendations include increasing the availability of affordable housing, supporting mental health services, and implementing housing-first initiatives that prioritize providing stable housing as a foundation for health improvement (Padgett et al., 2016).
The "face" of homelessness is diverse, with many individuals facing multiple vulnerabilities. Youths, veterans, and marginalized racial groups are disproportionately represented among the homeless population. The statistics indicate that homelessness is both a cause and consequence of health disparities, perpetuated by systemic inequalities. A policy project aimed at reducing homelessness is the Housing First approach, which emphasizes providing permanent housing with supportive services, rather than temporary shelters or transitional housing. This model has shown success in improving health outcomes and reducing hospitalizations (Tsemberis, 2010).
Access to affordable housing is fundamental in preventing homelessness. The Mortgage Lending Report reveals that current lending trends—such as higher interest rates and stricter credit requirements—pose significant challenges for first-time homebuyers, especially those in lower-income brackets. Populations most affected include racial minorities and low-income families, often experiencing higher foreclosure rates and difficulty securing favorable loan terms. These trends contribute to housing instability and increase the risk of homelessness. To mitigate these impacts, I would advise potential homebuyers to improve their credit scores, seek pre-approval before house hunting, and consider programs designed to assist first-time buyers, such as low-interest loans or down payment assistance (Mortgage Bankers Association, 2022). Addressing barriers to mortgage lending is essential for expanding affordable housing options and reducing homelessness.
References
- Coleman-Jensen, A., et al. (2021). Households and Individuals Food Security Status. USDA Economic Research Service. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-security-in-the-us/
- Gould, E., & Wilson, V. (2020). The COVID-19 Recession is Widening Racial Inequity in America. Economic Policy Institute. https://www.epi.org/publication/the-covid-19-recession-is-widening-racial-inequity-in-america/
- Mortgage Bankers Association. (2022). The Impact of Mortgage Lending Trends. MBA Publications. https://www.mba.org/research-and-economics
- NCH (National Coalition for the Homeless). (2022). Who is Homeless? https://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/what.html
- Padgett, D. K., et al. (2016). Housing and health among persons experiencing homelessness. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 24(4), 258–268.
- Tsemberis, S. (2010). Housing First: The Pathways Model to End Homelessness for People with Mental Illness and Addiction. European Journal of Homelessness, 4, 1–16.
- United States Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Household Food Security. https://www.fda.gov/food/security-helps-prevent-foodborne-illness
- USDA Economic Research Service. (2021). Definitions of Food Security. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/definitions-of-food-security/
- Williams, D. R., et al. (2020). COVID-19 and health disparities. JAMA, 324(3), 225-226.
At the end, include a References section in HTML (for example, an