Social Class, Health, and Illness

As the author begins her presentation with a discussion of social class and health, she points out that those at the bottom have the highest rates of disease and death and that race correlates with social class. Although this tendency seems a logical conclusion, it is further pointed out that "the United States ranks sixteenth in the world in infant mortality" due to high rates among the minority and the poor, with infectious diseases remaining a threat to the disadvantaged (p. 471). The prevalence of adult causes of death such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes are also higher in low-income persons. This insight is a shock, considering the wealth and medical capability found in the U.S. While it is no surprise that the plight of the poor remains in existence, even in the U.S., it is a shock that it exists to the degree that it does. With all of the plenty that is prevalent in this country, it is easy to overlook the fact that more than just a few continue to suffer greatly, and based on this article, one would conclude that apparently this oversight is exactly what is happening.