Recently, I watched a couple of programs on my local PBS station that noted differences in health and longevity that correlated socioeconomic status. Many factors relating to stressors, social supports, violence and access to health services were said to greatly influence the health of individuals and communities. The documentaries were thinly veiled political vehicles, as the conclusions were that only government policy changes and additional funding can narrow these inequalities. Obviously, being on the heels on the current health care debates in Congress, the programs seek to influence viewers to support Obama and the Democrats' "public option."
But looking at the "data" presented, it strikes me that individuals (including those who band together with others) in any community have a lot of power to determine the conditions in which they live. Instead of eating a strictly fast food diet, it doesn't take much money for neighbors to get together to garden and grow fresh produce for themselves and each other (e.g., bartering). A lot of the senseless violence and family breakdowns seen in less affluent communities is substance-abuse related. Communities, in cooperation with law enforcement, can do a lot to make it harder for drug dealers and drug users to operate. If everyone doesn't just turn their head and say, "I can't do anything about it. Let someone else do it", then a lot can be done. Truly poor people have access to free health clinics. Granted, the most aggressive treatments may not be available to them. But things like diabetes and hypertension, big killers in minority communities, can be addressed with education, lifestyle changes and the medical care that is already available to the poor.
People have to stop waiting for others to take care of them. They have to take responsibility for themselves and their choices. Yes, you are poor, but that doesn't mean you cannot make healthier diet choices . . it doesn't mean you cannot exercise . . . it doesn't mean that you can't work with others in your community to improve conditions and to have safer parks and playgrounds where you can take your kids and enjoy nature. It doesn't mean you cannot have block parties and other social gatherings, to feed that social need we all have. It doesn't mean that people cannot spruce up their properties, plant a few flowers and try to make their environment pleasant. People can do a lot for themselves and their locale if they don't hide away in their homes, continuing their unhealthy habits and waiting for govt. to fix it for them.
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