Change Your World Week Winter 2024 (Archived)

As of 2019 the life expectancy for the Asian population 85.7 years, 82.2 for the Latino population, 78.9 for the White population, 75.3 for the Black population, and 73.1 for the AIAN population.  

At a National level the life expectancy for majority of the Black population has increased by 3.9 years, followed by 2.9 years for the Asian population, and 2.7 years for the Latino population. The increase for the population was more moderate in growth with an increase of 1.7 years. While the data for AIAN populations shows that there was no improvement in life expectancy. At a county level from 2000 - 2019 88% of U.S. counties experienced an increase in life expectancy, majority of said increase being between 2000 - 2010. Despite this increase from the years 2010 - 2019 almost 60% of U.S. counties experienced a decrease in their life expectancy. When added together the life expectancy was below 65 years in some counties while it was over 90 years in others. The population with the widest variety in life expectancy was the AIAN population which went from under 59 to over 93 years in 2019. 

Health insurance plays a huge part in how long people live especially when taking into account the large group of minorities that do not have access to basic health insurance.  As of 2021 19% of non-elderly AIAN were likely to be uninsured which is more than twice as much when compared to white counterparts who were 7% as likely to be uninsured. An estimated 62% of Hispanic people, 58% Black, and 59% AIAN went without the flu vaccine, while less than half of White adults, 46% went without during the 2021 - 2022 season. The lack of health insurance has a huge impact on minority groups as opposed to White people because minority groups are paid less than the White population which makes it much harder to afford any bills that may need to be paid, as a result they tend to go without. 

Focusing specifically on the Black population in 3 large cities the causes of death vary. In the cities of Los Angeles, California, Houston, Texas, and Baltimore, Maryland the causes of death for both men and women were focused on. For the male population the top 3 most likely causes of death turned out to be circulatory diseases, injuries, and cancer. While for women the top 3 turned out to be circulatory diseases, cancer, and diabetes and endocrine disorders. 

A. The federal government needs to take the lead

B. The root causes of health inequities should be addressed

C. Raise the national minimum wage

D. Federal government should expand family supporting programs

E. All Americans should have access to some form of healthcare

Despite the increases in life expectancy it is still and issue that needs to be solved. Even with the majority of the public knowing it is an issue nothing can really be changed unless the government also steps in to assist. Many things could help especially provided a form of healthcare that is available to anyone who may need it.