The social determinants of race and poverty influence low-income neighborhoods in a number of ways. From access to education, health care, and housing security—all of which play bigger roles for certain groups than for others—these factors have significant impacts on race.
Marsha Gay Reynolds is a powerful force for positive change, using her time and energy to help low-income neighborhoods in New York City. Through community outreach initiatives, she works to improve the social determinants of these communities - from access to healthcare and education to creating supportive networks - to ensure that people in need can reach their potential.
In this post, we uncover the causes and potential solutions to this problem.
Everyone deserves access to quality resources, yet race can often be a major factor in determining who has access to these services.
Let’s take a closer look at the social determinants of race – the factors that contribute to shortcomings in lower-income neighborhoods and how we can work together to create a more equitable society.
A close analysis of income gaps between different ethnicities can help identify disparities in resources and opportunities.
Research has found that people of color are more likely to experience income inequality and, as a result, may have less access to healthy food and healthcare services.
This is an important factor to consider when creating education and outreach programs meant to promote equity and inclusion.
It is important to understand the many social and economic factors that contribute to racial health disparities in lower-income neighborhoods.
Factors such as socioeconomic status, education level, neighborhood/physical environment, employment opportunities, and social support networks as well as access to health care are all considered.
Disparities can be seen in education opportunities, housing availability, and poverty rates, to name a few.
Though these issues are complex and sometimes intractable, exploring them further can help community organizations identify ways to make meaningful improvements in the lives of their constituents.
Racism has a profound effect on educational outcomes, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods.
Research shows that school districts with higher concentrations of people of color tend to have fewer resources and lower educational standards than their white counterparts.
For example, Schools with 90 percent or more students of color typically spend $733 less per student per year than schools with 90% or more white pupils.
Racially biased policies and practices can obstruct access to quality education for students of different racial backgrounds, leading to significant disparities in academic performance between them.
By comprehending the inequities within the education system, organizations can better combat systemic racism and provide meaningful opportunities for all students.
One of the biggest social factors contributing to racial disparities in lower-income neighborhoods is a lack of job opportunities. Institutionalized racism can limit the types of employment available to people of color, particularly in areas where there are few quality career pathways.
People living in these communities often face poverty and unemployment as a result of restrictive hiring policies, as well as other systemic factors like educational inequality and unconscious bias.
These issues must be addressed in order for all citizens to enjoy economic security and upward mobility.
The accessibility of housing in low-income areas, such as rental units and subsidized housing. Consider how these types of residences may help or hinder community building, economic development, and racial equity.
According to a recent survey by the Coalition for Homelessness, an average of 48,524 people per night slept in the NYC Department of Homeless Services and Department of Housing Preservation and Development shelters in March 2022. Thousands of others slept in different shelter systems or were sleeping rough on the streets, in the subway system, or in other public spaces.
Analyze the different types of housing available to African Americans and other people of color – are they able to live in more prosperous regions or are they forced into substandard neighborhoods due to limited choices?
Evidence is mounting that the health and economic consequences of the pandemic are being felt differently depending on a neighborhood's racial makeup.
Uncover the major contributors to racial inequity in lower-income areas and discover ways to help society through better education and resources. Let’s pitch the importance of considering social determinants of race.
By gathering evidence-driven data on the factors that impact income disparity such as access to education, job opportunities, and housing security, we can start to gain insight into how these social determinants play a crucial role in creating differences between race and low-income neighborhoods.
People with limited finances may find it harder to secure health insurance or afford expensive procedures and medications. Furthermore, neighborhood factors like limited access to healthy foods and increased instances of violence can have an impact on health by shaping behaviors and stress levels.
These increased stress levels can have a significant impact on the health of a person living under these circumstances. In fact, Stress that's left unmanaged can lead to many health complications, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
Analyzing this data can help reveal how interventions, like providing better educational opportunities or investing in job training programs, can help create longer-term solutions to reduce the disparities between these communities.
Identifying correlations between race and access to job opportunities, healthcare, and housing is an essential step in understanding the overall effect of social determinants on poverty.
Connecting the dots across these various variables may provide a clearer picture regarding how social factors such as lack of education or access to health care services are associated with income disparities.
People who have access to high-quality education throughout their lives tend to live longer than those without. Education provides people with the chance to progress, which in turn gives them more options when it comes to accessing healthcare services and becoming informed about how best to take care of themselves physically and mentally. It also increases one's likelihood that one will make healthier lifestyle decisions as one ages.
Recent research also shows that higher education can lead to more lucrative employment with fewer safety risks.
This data can be used to develop strategic interventions that are better tailored to the needs of each community and help reduce disparities.
Social determinants of health refer to those social, economic, and environmental elements that have an effect on physical and mental well-being. Public health professionals must assess these influences at both an individual and community level for accurate assessments to take place.
By doing this, communities must take into account not just the medical needs of residents but also the social and economic factors that may limit opportunities for those living in poverty or minority settings.
To reduce unhealthy behaviors, we need to create supportive environments that encourage healthy choices. Studies have linked tobacco use with socioeconomic disadvantage in the neighborhood and an increased concentration of convenience shops. Low availability of fresh produce can lead to suboptimal nutrition as well as fewer recreational options and concentrated fast food outlets. Counseling alone won't suffice - urban planning and active transportation are also necessary components for providing access to nutritious food options.
By considering all factors influencing health, public health professionals can identify areas for intervention that could reduce disparities in access to healthcare and improve the quality of life for those living in vulnerable groups.
Analyzing the impact of educational disparities in low-income neighborhoods can help shape policies that work towards reducing inequality.
Understanding the relationship between poverty and educational disadvantage is necessary, as lower incomes often result in fewer resources available to support education properly.
Many students living in poverty lack access to sufficient resources at home to do their homework, study, or engage in activities that will aid their success at school. Many families lack computers and high-speed internet - only three-quarters of households have high-speed Internet. Furthermore, these families may lack parents who work long hours or multiple jobs so that they cannot help their children with schoolwork.
Analyzing approaches, such as providing sufficient governmental funding or allocating resources to certain schools in a manner that better supports academic success and growth, can help bridge the gap between poverty and educational excellence.
Marsha Gay Reynolds' outreach projects have impacted NYC in a variety of ways, from providing access to goods and services to offering better healthcare opportunities. Through her mentoring of youths, she has helped students from lower-income areas gain the skills necessary for success.
She also works with non-profit humanitarian organizations that provide emergency assistance, such as the American Red Cross, to provide extra food for those in need. Additionally, her initiatives aid humanitarian relief centers for people of color and assist immigrants in navigating their new homes.
All these factors together create a better quality of life for generations of New Yorkers in need.
By understanding the social determinants at play in low-income communities, Marsha Gay Reynolds is able to both identify issues and assign resources efficiently.
In New York City, social determinants like poverty, homelessness, a lack of basic healthcare, educational inequality, and rising costs of housing and transportation can all have an effect on health and well-being.
Through her outreach initiatives around these issues, Marsha Gay Reynolds has been able to create a healthier community with improved quality of life for those facing challenging circumstances.
By connecting to local partner organizations, Marsha Gay Reynolds is able to bring resources to the areas of greatest need. Her community outreach initiatives provide tangible and intangible benefits like food pantries, mentorship programs, and PPE distribution stations. She also works with the organizations on the ground to ensure the sustainability of these projects. This helps build a support system that can last long after its inception.
Through her strategically targeted interventions, Marsha Gay Reynolds has been able to promote health, food, and mentorship in these low-income communities.
She works with community centers to provide nutritional meals for children and their families. She also facilitates in-home healthcare for senior citizens to create much-needed mental and physical stimulation, ensuring optimal health and wellness. Through her role as managing director of a home healthcare agency, she assists in connecting people with local job opportunities so they can build career paths to economic stability.
To learn more about Marsha Gay Reynolds, please visit her personal website.