Health effected by wealth and education
Pat Haynes
Issue date: 4/10/09 Section: News
Health and the economy are at the top of many American's minds, and as shown in the film, "In Sickness and In Wealth," the two issues are interrelated.
"In Sickness and In Wealth," the first part of a PBS series titled "Unnatural Causes," was shown in the University Union Heritage Room on Wednesday, April 9.
The film focused on four individuals from different social and economic backgrounds in Louisville, Ky.
The first individual was Jim Taylor, CEO of the city's University Hospital, from the affluent Council District 16, who at 60 can still complete many of the tasks he did 20 years ago.
Next, was Tondra Young, of Council District 24, where the average income is slightly lower and the life expectancy is 75. The final two, Corey Anderson of District 21 and Mary Turner of District 5, were increasingly poorer and their health reflected that.
Individuals in less-affluent neighborhoods were more likely to have health problems. The documentary blamed this on cortisol, a chemical in the brain that controls an individual's stress level.
"I'm almost somewhat surprised," said Dr. Sheldon Cohen, a psychologist at Carnegie Mellon University. "The more income you have, the less cortisol you release every day."
The film also mentioned the relation between health and wealth, including differing racial backgrounds and levels of education, explaining the uneducated have lower life expectancies than those who graduate.
Eating habits and the consumer-driven society of our nation are two important factors that influence our low life expectancy.
"Why aren't there zoning laws to regulate fast food outlets here?" asked Dr. Adewale Troutman, director of Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness of the poorer areas in Louisville. "Why isn't there more mixed income housing? You know, all these things and others are health policy."
Following the film was a panel discussion with Dr. Edward Baker of Beu Health Center, Dr. Fetene Gebrewold of the health sciences department, Dr. Lora Ebert Wallace of the sociology department and Jeffery Darensbourg from the Leslie F. Malpass Library.
"Young people are the ones who will decide if we change all resources, not just health," Ebert Wallace said. "Economic policy is health policy. Education is so important in determining social standards. With enrollment decreasing, you always want to see more advocates making college more accessible."
As mentioned in the film, the feeling of control of your own life is important in lowering your stress, which can
play a big part in diseases like hypertension.
"The people aren't necessarily poor, but they are feeling an incredible amount of stress," she said.
Gebrewold explained that students are already taking steps to better themselves, just by attending school.
"I think you are already doing something," he said. "You are educating yourself. There are disparities now as we see it. These will allow us to control our own destiny."
"In Sickness and In Wealth," the first part of a PBS series titled "Unnatural Causes," was shown in the University Union Heritage Room on Wednesday, April 9.
The film focused on four individuals from different social and economic backgrounds in Louisville, Ky.
The first individual was Jim Taylor, CEO of the city's University Hospital, from the affluent Council District 16, who at 60 can still complete many of the tasks he did 20 years ago.
Next, was Tondra Young, of Council District 24, where the average income is slightly lower and the life expectancy is 75. The final two, Corey Anderson of District 21 and Mary Turner of District 5, were increasingly poorer and their health reflected that.
Individuals in less-affluent neighborhoods were more likely to have health problems. The documentary blamed this on cortisol, a chemical in the brain that controls an individual's stress level.
"I'm almost somewhat surprised," said Dr. Sheldon Cohen, a psychologist at Carnegie Mellon University. "The more income you have, the less cortisol you release every day."
The film also mentioned the relation between health and wealth, including differing racial backgrounds and levels of education, explaining the uneducated have lower life expectancies than those who graduate.
Eating habits and the consumer-driven society of our nation are two important factors that influence our low life expectancy.
"Why aren't there zoning laws to regulate fast food outlets here?" asked Dr. Adewale Troutman, director of Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness of the poorer areas in Louisville. "Why isn't there more mixed income housing? You know, all these things and others are health policy."
Following the film was a panel discussion with Dr. Edward Baker of Beu Health Center, Dr. Fetene Gebrewold of the health sciences department, Dr. Lora Ebert Wallace of the sociology department and Jeffery Darensbourg from the Leslie F. Malpass Library.
"Young people are the ones who will decide if we change all resources, not just health," Ebert Wallace said. "Economic policy is health policy. Education is so important in determining social standards. With enrollment decreasing, you always want to see more advocates making college more accessible."
As mentioned in the film, the feeling of control of your own life is important in lowering your stress, which can
play a big part in diseases like hypertension.
"The people aren't necessarily poor, but they are feeling an incredible amount of stress," she said.
Gebrewold explained that students are already taking steps to better themselves, just by attending school.
"I think you are already doing something," he said. "You are educating yourself. There are disparities now as we see it. These will allow us to control our own destiny."
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eda jacobson
posted 4/12/09 @ 10:30 AM CST
This is a very well written articale Im so proud of patrick
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