Health and Inequality

Health is determined as an unequal right from a socioeconomic perspective. “The Starting Gate” discusses how low birth weight is an example for a lower life expectancy created by unfairness. Infants are likely to be born with low birth weight because of biological and socioeconomically factors. If an infant’s parent were born with low birth weight have a higher risk in being born the same way. Also, families with a lower income status have been proved to have lower birth weight babies. While low birth weight has many effects on the infants mortality and later life expectancies socially and academically, there are solutions put forth for these problems. Dalton Conley considers such programs like TANF and Medicaid, where the government provides economic resources to families that cannot support themselves, are prevention solutions to low birth weight. Even though I somewhat agree with the WIC, in which low income pregnant woman gain access to healthy food, I do not feel that the rest of the programs are focused on this problem specifically. Medicaid provides health insurance to low-income families, but malnutrition in the womb has one of the most fundamental effects on low birth weight and the insurance will only cover up to the point for after the baby has been born. This will not prevent low birth weight. Also, TANF provides cash assistance to low-income families. This cash can be used outside of its purpose. Alcohol and cigarette consumption can be an example. Instead of providing the necessary nutrition for their child, some people act morally wrong. Dalton Conley has provided many solutions to low birth weight but I believe that there can be more emphasis put on the infants specifically. Inequality will always remain in the world, but solutions for existing problems are infinite and can lead to better life expectancy of citizens.