Disparities Social Determination

In the world we currently inhabit, it is safe to say that no one would attend school if they were guaranteed to be successful and self-sufficient in their lives without the required consequences of education. However, as can be seen, education serves as more than just a way to learn in order to obtain a job in the future. It also helps people develop the skills necessary to step outside of their comfort zones and experience other aspects of life. On the other hand, as is shown in the Los Angeles region, significant disparities in social variables are sparked by educational success. Even though there has been an increase of learning that takes place in Los Angeles, there exist large disparities in achievement measured among ethnic, linguistic, and or social-class groups.

It is apparent that those who do not attain higher levels of education such as being past high school are more likely to land on jobs that involve them being laborers with low pay. However, the case in Los Angeles may not necessarily follow that script. Bruce Fuller et al., in their analysis, point out that although there has been a rise of education levels in Latina women, “the distribution of income and jobs has failed to become more equitable” (3). With a closer look at the Latinos, the county of Public Health of Los Angeles rank them as the highest of the ethnic groups that live in food insecure households, yet they equally rank highest in those that live in food secure households (9). At this point, the question would be, how ethnicity plays a part in the disparity. It is quite clear that fewer births are in both the Latino and African American communities are greatly driven by the rising educational attainment of Latino and African American parents and acculturation to middle-class norms when it comes to fertility behavior (Public Health 9). However, the demographic characteristics of the African American show that their race comes third after the Latinos and the whites among those living in food insecure households and come last even after the Asians in ethnicity that lives in food secure households. The explanation for the major difference in these two ethnic groups comes into play with half of the Latinos being foreign born whose fertility rate is higher, lower education levels, not citizens and consist of the age group between 25 – 59 years of age.

Housing and food often compete with food regarding the expenses which a person has and thereby contribute to economic hardships (Public Health 10). L. A. class groups are sufficiently porous to allow for some upward mobility as school attainment improves. However, this is not the case seeing as although young Black and Latino parents have benefited from the improvement, incomes are still unevenly distributed across social classes (Fuller et al. 10). Home ownership is a great indicator of the social class that one belongs. Many of these people spend between 30-50% of their income on rent because they are not able to have their homes thus creating a rent burden. These people are associated also with those who live in households with low or very low food security. Therefore, since they struggle with their living expenses, these adults lack medical insurance coverage and have difficulties in accessing adequate health care. The harshest reality remains that, without sufficient food to give the body a number of nutrients it needs to strengthen its immunity and lack of access to proper health care, the cycle of poverty and lack revolves. The rising gains in schooling are mainly enjoyed by the Mexican American families of the third generation who experience income gains which respond with the rising levels of educational attainment. It goes along with saying that their social class often rises with their ability to settle their checks and balances.

Accordingly, the Public Health study has associated the prevalence of obesity among adults living in households with very low food security. “Food insecurity is strongly associated with other social determinants like income, education, employment, and housing stability” (Public Health 14). Although America is an English speaking nation, the Berkley team have associated the Latinos increased educational achievement with getting to learn the language. It would be easy enough to substantiate that the person born in America should have an easier way since they speak English. Contrary to this opinion, the education level of the individual greatly approves or disapproves the kind of job they can get into. In that case, those who drop out at lower levels of education are most likely to have major difficulties in getting the comforts that educational achievement may provide. With insufficient income, these people are likely to rely on less expensive and less nutritious, high-calorie foods to fill their diets (Public Health 14). Obesity and food security are prevalent in communities with a high social and economic burden.

It is evident from these two datasets that educational achievement, with all the disparities that may influence it, has an impact on the other social determinants of health including housing, food, income, and employment of the people who live in Los Angeles. Despite the disparities, the L.A. Unified School District alongside Chartered schools have offered education that has ensured that more people, their gender and ethnic backgrounds notwithstanding, have the opportunity to advance themselves to the level of education that they want. It is from this educational achievement that many hope to lift their families’ social standings so that their future generations can be self-reliant and sufficient in their lives.

Works Cited

County of Los Angeles Public Health. Social Determinants of Health, Rising Food Insecurity in

Los Angeles County. 2015. Los Angeles, 2015. Print.

Fuller, B., Castillo, E., Lee, J. & Ugarte, C. Narrowing Achievement Gaps in Los Angeles.

Progress and Inequality as LAUSD Implement Local Control Funding. Berkley, 2016. Print.