Economic stability is one of the critical factors that ensure not only the position of people in society but also their well-being. This element is an integral part of the system of social determinants since, without a sufficiently secure economic position, it is impossible to ensure health (Artiga and Hinton). Unfortunately, some groups are more vulnerable in this regard, and therefore they need a separate analysis and a more focused approach. This paper aims to study the impact of the social determinant of economic stability on the black community, consisting of poor and middle-income people.
From a socioeconomic standpoint, there are several significant problems that black people face. Most of them come from discrimination, which, although a purely social factor, can greatly affect a person’s economic situation. In practice, racially discriminated communities experience job loss more often and earlier (Davis). In addition, blacks also have significant problems finding work, having fewer similar options than whites (Weller). Finally, members of this community often have more limited access to vital services, such as quality housing (Davis). The combination of these factors, closely related to the racial characteristics of this group of people, has a significant impact on their financial situation.
As a result, economic instability is experienced by a considerable population. Statistics show that a large proportion of black women surveyed participated in some kind of social support program due to a lack of income (Weida). This part of the society is especially vulnerable because it combines discrimination on two grounds at once, which is reflected in their economic situation. In general, the problems with economic instability described above affect almost the entire black society with middle and lower incomes.
This situation has a significant impact on their health in general and nutrition in particular. The lack of income creates the impossibility of a permanent healthy diet and contributes to the formation of food insecurity. As a result, many people, especially black women, turn to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which compensates for insufficient family budgets for food purchases (Weida). Given the volatility of available incomes, families often have no choice, and food consumption is based on availability rather than usefulness.
Unfortunately, developing measures that could solve these problems is extremely difficult. The reason for this is two factors: a significant gap in wealth between blacks and whites and discrimination present in society. Both of these factors are large-scale problems that cannot be solved in a short time (Weller and Roberts). However, in the long term, it is possible to introduce policies that tighten the control of discrimination and different treatment due to race and develop programs to support the poor.
Such measures are already being implemented, but their effectiveness leaves much to be desired due to the many social problems associated with the interaction of black and white parts of society. Thus, to effectively address the determinant of economic stability for the black community, it is necessary to create a level playing field for people of any race. At the moment, the presence of different attitudes toward whites and blacks is the most significant factor of instability. It can be eliminated only through large-scale social changes, which should be the focus of future policies.
Works Cited
Artiga, Samantha, and Elizabeth Hinton. “Beyond Health Care: The Role of Social Determinants in Promoting Health and Health Equity.” KFF, 2018.
Davis, Brigette A. “Discrimination: A Social Determinant of Health Inequities.” Health Affairs Blog, 2020.
Weida, Emily Brown, et al. “Financial Health as a Measurable Social Determinant of Health.”PloS One, vol. 15, no. 5, 2020, e0233359.
Weller, Christian. “African Americans Face Systematic Obstacles to Getting Good Jobs.”Center for American Progress, 2019.
Weller, Christian, and Lily Roberts. “Eliminating the Black-White Wealth Gap Is a Generational Challenge.”Center for American Progress, 2021.