D224 Task 1 Health Disparities Among African Americans in Union City

Student Name

Western Governors University

D224 Global and Population Health

Prof. Name:

Date

Local City and a Subpopulation at Risk

What is the local city and subpopulation under consideration?

The focus is on Union City, Georgia, specifically the subpopulation of African Americans living below the poverty line within this city. This group is considered at risk due to socioeconomic and health-related challenges they face.

What is the size of the community and specific subpopulation?

Union City has a population of over 27,000 people. African Americans constitute a significant majority, representing 85.9% of the total population. This racial group also comprises most of those living below the poverty line in the city.

What are the gender demographics?

Males: 44.7%
Females: 55.3%

What is the racial composition of Union City?

Race	Percentage (%)
African American	85.9
White	3.9
Hispanic	3.8
Two or more races	3.1

What is the average income and educational attainment?

Average income: $28,110 annually.
Educational attainment: Approximately 88.7% of the population hold at least a high school diploma.

What percentage of the population lives in poverty?

Overall poverty rate: 12.4%
African Americans living in poverty: 6.1%

What are the crime rates in Union City?

Crime Type	Percentage (%)
Murders	13.5
Rapes	22.5
Robberies	35
Assaults	69
Burglaries	92

What are the common occupations in Union City?

The most prevalent occupations involve office-related work, reflecting a service and administrative employment base.

What is the access to healthcare, transportation, and food like?

Transportation: 82.5% of the population commute by driving alone.
Food Access: There are approximately 190 stores providing access to food.
Health Insurance Coverage: Only 16.8% of residents have health insurance.

What are the health and nutrition statistics?

About 48.6% of the population face health and nutrition challenges, indicating nearly half of the residents may have difficulties maintaining optimal health.

What environmental concerns affect the subpopulation?

A key environmental issue impacting African Americans living under the poverty line in Union City is limited access to sanitation. Poor sanitation contributes to increased risks of hygiene-related diseases. Homelessness exacerbates this problem, as many living below the poverty line lack stable housing, clean water, and adequate sanitary facilities. Georgia’s high cost of living further complicates access to these essentials.

How do the demographics of this subpopulation compare to the broader community, and what health concerns are supported by the data?

African Americans, who form the majority in Union City, disproportionately experience poverty. Females aged 55-64 represent the largest group living in poverty, followed by older females (75+) and those aged 35-44. Homelessness, food insecurity, and poor access to basic needs such as clean water and shelter are directly linked to adverse physical and mental health outcomes. For instance, 20% of the homeless population nationwide report mental illness, and 16% suffer from conditions like substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or heart disease (Hunger, Homelessness and Mental Health: HOPE Is Here, 2021). These social determinants critically impact the overall health status of this subpopulation.

What is one social determinant of health (SDOH) affecting this community?

Low income is a major social determinant affecting health outcomes. It is the primary contributor to morbidity and premature mortality within the African American community in Union City.

How does low income affect health outcomes?

Low income restricts access to essential health resources such as nutritious food, stable housing, and medical care. This economic hardship increases vulnerability to mental health disorders such as depression, which can lead to substance abuse and increased risk for diseases like cardiovascular conditions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, African Americans in Georgia experienced higher mortality rates, exacerbated by existing disparities in healthcare access and socioeconomic conditions (Shannon et al., 2022).

What are the primary community health concerns?

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and chronic illness in Georgia, disproportionately affecting low-income African Americans. Other concerns include shortages of healthcare providers and limited insurance coverage, which restrict access to in-network providers and necessary health services.

What health issues drive emergency room visits and hospital admissions?

Injuries are among the top causes for emergency department visits and hospital admissions in the community (Weiss & Jiang, 2021).

What factors are reducing the quality of life in the community?

A significant decline in quality of life is attributed to the lack of essential resources such as affordable shelter, healthcare services, and comprehensive health coverage. These deficits contribute to ongoing health disparities and social instability.

What resources currently support the subpopulation in addressing social determinants of health?

Resource	Description
SNAP	Provides financial assistance for purchasing groceries to support food security.
Medicaid and Medicare	Offer affordable health insurance for eligible low-income individuals and those with comorbidities.

What additional resources are needed to address social determinants of health?

While programs like Medicaid, SNAP, Peachtree for Kids, and food banks exist, additional resources are needed:

Educational programs to help individuals earn high school diplomas and college degrees, which can improve employment opportunities and economic stability.
Mental health services targeting depression, substance abuse, and related illnesses are essential to support those struggling with these issues.

Investing in education and mental health support would help reduce poverty and improve health outcomes in this community.

What evidence-based intervention can address the resource gap in healthcare?

One critical intervention focuses on reducing the Black-white wealth gap that perpetuates health disparities. Structural barriers have historically limited African Americans’ access to wealth-building opportunities, affecting their health outcomes.

Research shows that while white households regained wealth quickly after the COVID-19 pandemic, Black households suffered prolonged economic damage (Brookings, 2022). Addressing this requires renewed fiscal support and systemic public policy reforms that strengthen the safety net, income supports, and target wealth inequality.

How will this intervention reduce the resource gap?

By closing the wealth gap through targeted policy changes and financial aid, African American communities can gain better access to healthcare, education, and housing. This would mitigate economic stressors that contribute to poor health outcomes and improve resilience against future economic crises.

References

Brookings. (2022, March 9). The Black-white wealth gap left Black households more vulnerable. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-black-white-wealth-gap-left-blackhouseholds-more-vulnerable/

Hunger, homelessness and mental health: HOPE is here. (2021, November 8). https://gahope.org/hunger-homelessness-and-mental-health-hope-is-here/

Shannon, J., Abraham, A. J., Adams, G. B., & Hauer, M. (2022). Racial disparities for COVID-19 mortality in Georgia: Spatial analysis by age based on excess deaths. Social Science & Medicine, 292, 114549. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114549

Union City, GA | Data USA. (n.d.). Data USA. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/union-cityga#economy