Question

The following is a list of health inequalities in the US. Choose one and discuss (1) whether you believe this is a health inequity and why and (2) factors that may contribute to this inequality.

1. Compared with white youth, black and Hispanic youth have a high prevalence of asthma, overweight and Type 2 diabetes.

2Rates of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy are higher among black and Hispanic youth than among whites of the same age.

4 Hispanic youth experience proportionately more anxiety-related behaviors and depression than do non-Hispanic white youth.

5 Suicide rates among American Indians/ Alaska natives aged 15-35 years are more than two times higher than the national average for that age group.

6LGBT youth are more likely to be overweight than non-LGBT youth.

7. 35 percent of LGBT youth have reported suicide attempts compared to 10 percent of non-LGBT youth

Answer 1

I choose health inequalities topics of

Hispanic youth experience proportionately more anxiety-related behaviors and depression than do non-Hispanic white youth.

Hispanics consider the body aches, tiredness, restlessness, irritability as depression. They usually meet the general physician and very few will meet the mental health specialist. Whereas non-Hispanics are mostly visiting the mental health physician for mental related disorders. Native Hispanic have a higher rate of anxiety-related disorder than immigrants. Hispanic are not willing to take antidepressants. Studies show that most of the Hispanians are misdiagnosed with anxiety-related behavior. The improper approach of the patient, lack of guidance, lack of communication, misdiagnosis, inappropriate medication, limitation in the follow-up of care, insurance undercover all lead to health inequalities in obtaining proper treatment for the Hispanic patients. NonHispanic are diagnosed earlier. The high socioeconomic status makes them getting treatment on time and overprotectiveness by their families leads to less number of anxiety-related behaviors.

Factors related to health inequality:

• Lack of Spanish speaking health care professionals results in poor outcomes of anxiety-related behaviors in Hispanics.
• Improper prescription of antidepressants on Hispanians leads to increased side effects.
• Culturally inappropriate care results in inequality to access care.