The Effects Of Social Disadvantage On Minority Populations

The impact on minorities due to inequality
Introduction 
During the course of this class I have learned about social problems within the society in which we live and around the world. It is disturbing to learn that poverty, social inequality, race and cultural discrimination, gender stratification, environmental damage, population growth, and urbanization are among the social problems and controversial issues that still exist in the United States.

Vaughan, Ellen L., Melanie J. Robbins, and Oscar S. Escobar. "Mental Health, Physical Health Problems, and Drinking Among Latino Older Adults." Journal of Latina/o Psychology (2014): n. pag. Web. 1 Oct. 2015.

The physical and mental ramifications of racial discrimination have been the subjects of scholarly inquiry. Health disparities between different racial groups have been well established in the literature (Williams, 2003). Specifically, scholars have examined the disparate death rates between African Americans and White Americans (Kung, Hoyert, Xu & Murphy, 2008), racial differences in blood pressure (Williams & Neighbors, 2001), and racial differences in cardiovascular disease (Wyatt et al., 2003). Furthermore, researchers have investigated the role of everyday discrimination on self-rated physical health among Latina/os (Molina, Alegria, & Mahalingam, 2013). To address the issue, the authors examined data collected from the National Latina/o

The Hispanic/Latin American population of the U.S. has been growing steadily over the last four decades (Casas, Vasquez, & Ruiz de Esparza, 2002 retrieved from Alvarez) and recent census statistics indicate that 42.7 million Americans identify themselves as Hispanic (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2006 retrieved from Alvarez). The Hispanic population is expected to continue to grow and expand. Hispanic living in the United States face many challenges and social injustice. When facing challenges and social injustices people tend to handle those stressors in different ways. For some people partaking in substance and alcohol abuse has become a coping trend in America. “Substance abuse prevalence rates for Latinos/as generally mirror those of the

I as a minority will forever see them the same because we have been trying for so long to get what is concerned white privilege. We want for once have white people want what we have, as much as what we want that they have. However, white privilege individuals may disagree on what I am saying, due to the fact that white individuals believe we get extra scholarships offers and government help offers. This in result creates a conflict that white individuals will never comprehend. What white people do not know is that white individuals in fact get more of these offers given to them than what a minority individual receives. This was a discussion in the course that for a second made me happy that minorities were at least being offer something

Racial and ethnic health disparities plays a significant role when it comes to those living in a what is considered a low- economic community because people are more susceptible to poor air quality, high blood pressure related to stress, and violence. Inaccessibility to healthy foods forces people to have to eat unhealthy and struggle with the risk that can lead to obesity or high cholesterol down the road (Noonan, A et al ,2016). Also social racism with having limited income, and education can cause people to act out in a negative way due to being frustrated and can cause one to act out in a violent way which can cause a spike in crime. So much can be done to strengthen low economic communities such as re-opening schools in the neighborhood,

The information cited in this paper provides an insight into the health disparities that exist in the Hispanic population. It shows that Hispanics have increased rates of health problems when compared to other racial groups in the United States. These disparities have been shown to be connected to socioeconomic status. The information cited in this paper show that Hispanics have lower socioeconomic status than whites and their low socioeconomic status is implicated as a risk factor for health status. Furthermore, Hispanics face increased barriers to accessing care, receive poorer quality care, and ultimately experience worse health outcomes. For example, Hispanics have higher morbidity rates for diabetes, obesity, cancer, asthma and proliferative

Drinking pattern does differ by race and ethnicity in the United States. Our book discusses the difference between Irish, Italians, French, Asia & Native Americans, Hispanics, and African American. Studies show that African Americans have higher rates of alcoholism than whites do. This conclusion is due to the lack of research on drinking pattern amongst blacks (Lex, 1985; Sterne, 1967). Evidence also show that white women has a lower rate of alcoholism than black women, yet African American women have a higher abstain rate (Harper and Saifnoorian, 1991). Most African American males don’t encounter with alcohol related problems until about their 30’s. Seen in a study by Herd’s (1990) it revealed that is was some similar patterns between white and blacks as well as differences. White were found to do more

Minorities are an endangered species. Not only are they targeted by the police, but are also subject to ridicule and misrepresentation in the media. Back when racism was above the surface, when raping, killing and lynching of blacks was a Sunday afternoon activity, is where we start to see the systematic oppression of minorities in the media. White males would paint their faces black, and exaggerate facial features such as the lips and nose, and mock the black community. Even in today’s society, we have sports teams called the Chiefs and Indians, which Native Americans have made clear are offensive to their history and culture, yet no changes have been made. Many people turn a blind eye to the fact that minorities are targeted by the media and it is not always obvious. To be able to spot some of the inequality in the media, one has to really be aware, and analyze how different races are being portrayed.

According to (AA.org) the drinking habits and patters of consumptions among Latinos changes due to many circumstances. “One reason that some Hispanics drink more than others here in the USA depends on factors such as accessibility and affordability”. Secondly, because of isolation from their loved ones they become more susceptible to engage in risky drinking habits than in their countries.

Immigrants who have moved from their origin of birth have changes their set of cultural norms and values. This is seen in Hispanics who have moved to the United States. Most of the women who are sensitive to changes are Cuban American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican American women. They state their drinking behavior has increased because of the dominant society. Washington State conducted a study that showed an accelerated abuse of alcohol and use of illegal drugs within the Hispanic culture. The increase was 7.2%, which was compared with less than 1% of others and 6.4% of whites (Abbott, 2008).

“1]. How does social inequality impact people of different nationalities [ethnicities & races], classes, and genders in society.”

Substance abuse and alcoholism within an ethnic minority, like Native Americans, and an ethnic majority are significant issues facing our country. Regardless of race, these two ailments can lead to the onset of depression, suicide, and mental health disorders. When it comes to alcohol consumption, Native Americans demonstrate some of the highest percentages regarding heavy drinking and alcoholism, but both Native American and white Americans exceed the recommended rates of consumption. The differences between the causes, effects, and rates of substance abuse often influence mental health status and access to mental healthcare, making this issue one that requires discussion. The consequences that arise from unequal access increase costs for mental health care, making it even more challenging to receive preventative care and/or treatment in indigenous

Minority status has long since been viewed in a not-so-positive light. From the reflex many people have to lock their doors when they see a homeless person or a person of color, to stereotyping and assumptions based on institutionalized racism, to discrimination, minority status has a part to play in all of it. Similarly, many people have the idea that deaf people cannot do anything for themselves because they are “disabled”. Even though America was once hailed as a melting pot because of the diversity of its citizens, things like “you’re in America now, speak English” are said in today's America. While being defined as a minority isn’t inherently bad, it has become an excuse for some members of the majority to treat minorities as second-class citizens.

Other research in the 1990's showed a correlation between high levels of negative life events with increased vulnerability to colds. The trouble with this 'social readjustment rating scale' is that it does not account for the fact that some people will find the same sort of event less stressful than others - for example, divorce could be perceived as a relief or a disaster. We cannot give reliable predictions about risks of stress-related illness based on this scale. Lazarus and colleagues in the 1980s came up with a different stress measurement scale called the 'hassles and uplifts scale'.