Final answer:
High asthma rates in poor communities are a consequence of the social determinants of health, influenced by factors such as economic status, access to clean environments, and racial disparities in health care. Health disparities reflect the unequal conditions under which people live, which can lead to differences in health outcomes, such as higher instances of chronic diseases among African Americans. Addressing these disparities requires a methodical and community-specific approach to achieve health equity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Health Disparities
Linking high asthma rates in poor communities with lack of access to health care, unemployment, and proximity to factories that heavily pollute the air reflects the social determinants of health (SDOH). These are conditions where people are born, grow, live, work, and age, which affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. Health disparities are closely linked with social or economic disadvantages and result from the complex interaction among genetic variations, environmental factors, zip codes, health behaviors, and availability of resources to meet daily needs.
Health equity refers to the effort to lessen and ultimately eliminate disparities in health. Elements such as economic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, and social support networks, as well as access to health care, influence an individual's health outcomes. For example, Black adults in the U.S. are nearly twice as likely as White adults to develop type 2 diabetes, and African Americans suffer greater burdens from chronic diseases and have lower access to health care when compared to White Americans.
Community psychologists and health professionals recognize that achieving health equity requires acknowledging and addressing these underlying factors. This involves a methodical, purposeful, and sustainable effort, ensuring that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. The presence of health disparities demands a systemic approach, taking into account individual needs, societal structures, and specific community contexts to develop effective interventions.