Question

Lara has a low socioeconomic status (SES) and lives in a low-SES neighborhood. Larry has a low SES but lives in a high-SES neighborhood. (Note that low SES here means a maximum of $30,000 per year.) Which of the two people will likely have a longer life expectancy?

a) Lara, because she has a low SES.
b) Larry, because he lives in a high-SES neighborhood.
c) Lara and Larry have similar life expectancies.
d) It is impossible to determine based on SES alone.

Answer 1

Larry, who has a low socioeconomic status but lives in a high-SES neighborhood, is likely to have a longer life expectancy than Lara, who has low SES and lives in a low-SES neighborhood. This is due to the correlation between neighborhood conditions, access to resources, and health outcomes. The correct answer is B.

Step-by-step explanation:

In considering whether Lara or Larry will likely have a longer life expectancy, we must take into account several aspects of socioeconomic status (SES) and its impact on various facets of life. Marilyn Winkleby and her colleagues (1992) found that SES is a strong predictor of a person's morbidity and mortality, indicating that both income and neighborhood conditions play significant roles in health outcomes. While both Lara and Larry are of low SES, Larry's residence in a high-SES neighborhood may afford him access to better resources like healthcare, education, cleaner environments, and safety, which could contribute to a longer life expectancy.

Lara's low-SES status and occupancy in a low-SES neighborhood typically correlate with higher disease incidence and lower life expectancy, due to limited access to healthcare, lower quality education, and potentially higher exposure to environmental pollutants. This is compounded by gender factors and disparities in healthcare access, which could further affect Lara's life expectancy if she is a woman facing the 'feminization of poverty.' In contrast, even with a low individual income, Larry might benefit from the overall higher standard of living and community support available in a high-SES neighborhood, which can positively influence health outcomes.

Therefore, while specific individual outcomes cannot be determined from SES alone, based on the available socioeconomic data and research, answer b) Larry, because he lives in a high-SES neighborhood, is the most likely scenario given the correlation between life expectancy and the social determinants of health associated with SES. However, it's important to note that this is a generalization and individual circumstances may lead to different outcomes. The correct answer is B.