Blacks Vs. White Life Expectancy

Blacks Vs. White Life Expectancy
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ABSTRACT
Research indicates that the life expectancy of African-Americans is shorter than that of white Americans. Factors that impact this difference are socioeconomic status (SES), neighborhood advantages, and lifestyle. Lower income class characterized by African Americans usually doesn't utilize medical services being that distance, money and transportation, which are a big part of a healthy lifestyle. Higher income class are able to afford health care and live in an environment that would encourage healthy lifestyles. Blacks experienced a 25 percent drop in their overall death rate, compared to a 14 percent decrease for whites, between 1999 and 2015. Deaths from heart disease, cancer and stroke declined sharply among blacks of 65years and older. In that age group, blacks now have a lower death rate than whites. Despite the drop in the death rates of both races, African Americans have a lower life expectancy that the Whites. African American’s life expectancy at birth is about 3½ years lower than that of whites. In conclusion, we need to find a way to help lower income families afford healthcare. As a result, they can be able to go to the hospital and talk to doctors. They could also encourage kids to always go to the doctor to get checked out. Promoting health lifestyles could contribute to an increase in the life expectancies of the Black in America.
Key words: health, African Americans, white Americans, and life expectancy.
INTRODUCTION
The lifestyle of an individual plays an essential role in determining their life expectancy. In most cases, individuals who live a life characterized by poverty and poor health tend to live a shorter life as compared to those that live a healthy lifestyle. Besides, certain environmental factors affect the lifestyle of an individual regardless of their race or social class in society. Research indicates that certain factors, such as social and economic status play a substantial role in determining the life expectancy of individuals. Therefore, this paper will focus on proofing that the life expectancy of African Americans is lower than that of the whites.
SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS.
The life expectancy of African Americans is lower to that of the whites due to their socioeconomic statuses which make it difficult for them to live a healthy life. During the colonial era, African Americans were forced to work in the colonialist’s farms for them to earn a living. Low wages and job insecurity characterized such jobs. In the case where a worker did not comply with the work regulations, then they could easily lose their job. Lacking a job would force them to sustain poor living conditions (Singh, Gopal and Mohammad 2016). Therefore, their life expectancy was lower as compared to that of the whites because they could not afford quality medical care. A substantial number of African Americans would lose their lives to killer epidemics. For instance, their poor living conditions in the ghettos increased the chances of contracting diseases such as cholera and malaria. The rate of the child mortality rate was high since pregnant women could barely afford quality medical care...