Introduction
Chronic diseases as a public health issue can be prevented through lifestyle changes to avoid risky behaviors that lead to the conditions. These diseases can be prevented by quitting smoking, eating healthy, having regular physical activities, being screened, getting enough sleep, and avoiding drinking too much alcohol (“How you can prevent,” 2022). The essay identifies and analyzes socioeconomic barriers and supports involved in addressing chronic diseases as a public health issue.
Socioeconomic Barriers
Income Disparity
The increasing gaps in income could be linked to the widening gaps in longevity and health between poor and rich Americans. Low-income people are at a greater risk for chronic illnesses from two perspectives. Low-income has limited access to quality foods to stay healthy and it is a sign of low-wage employment. If people are poor, they have a higher risk of having chronic diseases, for example, cardiovascular and diabetes, and related complications. People with low income find it expensive to afford high-cost nutritious food, resorting to consuming fast foods and junk foods because of their affordability (Hayes & Gillian, 2020). Eating Junk foods and fast foods are associated with obesity, consequently leading to chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease among the population.
Further, chronic diseases limit financial security, mostly for people of color. The majority of people of color live in urban areas, mostly in densely populated areas. Communities of color in the US experience higher levels of obesity, diabetes, heart illness, cancer, and stroke as compared to their white counterparts. Black Americans have lower income levels due to the growing wealth gap between racially and ethnically different households when compared with white households (Hardman et al., 2020). In addition, patients with chronic diseases in rural areas experience deprived geographical access based on their poor transportation networks (Garchitorena et al., 2020). Therefore, geographic distance is a hindrance to accessing better health and social care services because of geographic isolation on their access to healthcare accessibility.
Low Education Level
Low-educated people have improper health knowledge and beliefs, leading to poor lifestyle choices. In addition, they lack skills and self-advocacy for chronic conditions. Education enhances skills, for example, literacy, establishes effective habits and can improve cognitive capacity. Chronic illnesses are more prevalent among people with low levels of education than those with high and intermediate educational levels (Oude Hengel et al., 2019). A low level of education is related to the escalated risk of the chronic condition, and the illness poses a barrier to achieving higher educational levels. Most chronic illnesses reveal an inverse correlation with education.
Supports
There is a need to pursue health equality, requiring attention to the search for solutions that determine interlinks between socioeconomic effects and health status. A method that is effective for addressing socioeconomic inequality and health in the United States could be to decrease the ethnic and racial wealth gap in American society by enhancing health. The government needs to facilitate job creation to help most of the unemployed people in the society. In terms of demographic factors, patients should watch what they are eating, take their medicines, and keep a routine of low to moderate physical exercise (Warnock, 2022). The government needs to put more effort into promoting economic development and reduce poverty in susceptible communities. Further, in terms of educational level, the government should enhance educational support concerning healthy lifestyles (Hardman et al., 2020). People should be educated on eating healthy foods that assist in preventing, managing, and delaying chronic illnesses. Change in eating habits such as having a healthy and balanced dietary pattern comprising a range of vegetables, fruits, low-fat products, and lean protein (Oude Hengel et al., 2019). Patients with sophisticated chronic illness and their caregivers or families need educational support programs concerning the influences of conditions on the body and the way exercise, lifestyle and medication changes may counter the effects.
Conclusion
Several socioeconomic barrier aspects improve a person’s risk of contracting a chronic condition. The socioeconomic aspect comprises education, employment, and income. The government can help effect an effective change in lifestyle and a healthy approach toward chronic disease management by supporting education, improving income, and creating job opportunities. There is a need to provide educational support and to pursue health equality while reducing the wealth gap between the poor and rich in the US.
References
Garchitorena, A., Ihantamalala, F. A., Révillion, C., Cordier, L. F., Randriamihaja, M., Razafinjato, B., Rafenoarivamalala, F. H., Finnegan, K. E., Andrianirinarison, J., Rakotonirina, J., Herbreteau, V., & Bonds, M. H. (2020). Geographic barriers to achieving universal health coverage in a rural district of Madagascar. Web.
Hardman, R., Begg, S., & Spelten, E. (2020). What impact do chronic disease self-management support interventions have on health inequity gaps related to socioeconomic status: A systematic review. BMC Health Services Research, 20(1). Web.
Hayes, T. O., & Gillian, S., (2020). Background: Understanding the connections between chronic disease and individual-level risk factors. Web.
How you can prevent chronic diseases. (2022). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web.
Oude Hengel, K., Robroek, S. J., Eekhout, I., Van der Beek, A. J., & Burdorf, A. (2019). Educational inequalities in the impact of chronic diseases on exit from paid employment among older workers: A 7-year prospective study in The Netherlands. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 76(10), 718-725. Web.
Warnock, A. (2022). Overcoming patient barriers to chronic disease management. Web.