Name
Western Governors University
E224 Global and Population Health
Prof. Name
Date
The area of focus is Union City, Georgia, particularly the African American community residing below the poverty line. This group experiences significant vulnerability due to socioeconomic disadvantages that affect their health, well-being, and access to vital services and resources.
Union City has an estimated population exceeding 27,000 individuals. African Americans comprise the majority, representing about 85.9% of the total population. This racial group also accounts for the largest share of people living in poverty within the city.
The gender breakdown in Union City is as follows:
| Gender | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Male | 44.7 |
| Female | 55.3 |
| Race | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| African American | 85.9 |
| White | 3.9 |
| Hispanic | 3.8 |
| Two or more races | 3.1 |
The average annual income for residents is approximately $28,110. Regarding education, 88.7% of the population have earned at least a high school diploma, indicating a moderate level of educational achievement.
The overall poverty rate is 12.4%. African Americans living under the poverty line constitute 6.1% of the city’s total population.
| Crime Type | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Murders | 13.5 |
| Rapes | 22.5 |
| Robberies | 35 |
| Assaults | 69 |
| Burglaries | 92 |
Most employment in Union City involves office-based roles, suggesting the workforce primarily engages in service and administrative positions.
Transportation: A large majority, about 82.5%, commute by driving alone.
Food Access: Approximately 190 food stores serve the area, offering diverse grocery options.
Health Insurance Coverage: Only 16.8% of residents have health insurance, revealing significant healthcare access challenges.
Nearly 48.6% of the population faces health and nutrition challenges, highlighting widespread difficulties in maintaining adequate health and nutrition.
Limited access to sanitation is a critical environmental issue for impoverished African Americans in Union City. Poor sanitation increases the risk of hygiene-related diseases. Homelessness exacerbates these conditions by limiting access to stable housing, clean water, and sanitary facilities. Additionally, Georgia’s high cost of living further restricts access to these essential resources.
African Americans represent the majority in Union City but also disproportionately experience poverty. Females aged 55-64 make up the largest subgroup living in poverty, followed by older females (75+) and those aged 35-44. Issues like homelessness, food insecurity, and lack of access to clean water and shelter lead to adverse physical and mental health outcomes. National data suggest that among homeless populations, 20% suffer from mental illnesses and 16% struggle with substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or heart disease (Hunger, Homelessness and Mental Health: HOPE Is Here, 2021). These social determinants strongly influence health disparities within this community.
Low income emerges as a fundamental social determinant of health, significantly influencing health outcomes in this population. It contributes to higher rates of illness and premature death among African Americans in Union City.
Economic hardship limits access to vital health resources such as nutritious food, stable housing, and healthcare services. It increases vulnerability to mental health disorders like depression, which can lead to substance abuse and higher risks for chronic conditions including cardiovascular disease. During the COVID-19 pandemic, African Americans in Georgia experienced disproportionately high mortality rates, partly due to existing disparities in healthcare access and economic factors (Shannon et al., 2022).
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and chronic illness in Georgia, disproportionately affecting low-income African Americans. Other significant challenges include a shortage of healthcare providers and insufficient health insurance coverage, limiting access to essential medical care.
Injuries represent one of the top reasons for emergency department visits and hospital admissions in this community (Weiss & Jiang, 2021).
Key contributors to declining quality of life include a lack of affordable housing, limited healthcare services, and inadequate insurance coverage. These deficits exacerbate health disparities and social instability in Union City.
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| SNAP | Provides financial assistance for grocery purchases, improving food security. |
| Medicaid/Medicare | Offers affordable health insurance for low-income individuals and those with comorbid conditions. |
While programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, Peachtree for Kids, and food banks offer essential support, more resources are necessary, including:
Educational programs aimed at increasing high school and college graduation rates to enhance employment opportunities and economic stability.
Expanded mental health services focusing on depression, substance abuse, and related illnesses to assist vulnerable populations.
Investing in education and mental health infrastructure could significantly reduce poverty and improve health outcomes in this community.
An effective intervention involves addressing the Black-white wealth gap, which perpetuates health disparities. Structural barriers have historically limited African Americans’ wealth accumulation, adversely affecting their health. Research shows that after the COVID-19 pandemic, white households recovered financially faster than Black households, who faced prolonged economic hardship (Brookings, 2022). Tackling these disparities requires comprehensive public policy reforms, increased fiscal support, stronger safety nets, and targeted income assistance.
By closing the wealth gap through policy reforms and financial aid, African American communities could gain better access to healthcare, education, and housing. This improvement would alleviate economic pressures that contribute to poor health, boost resilience against future economic challenges, and promote equitable health outcomes.
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
Union City, Georgia (GA 30291) profile: population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, news, sex offenders. (n.d.). https://www.city-data.com/city/Union-City-Georgia.html
Weiss, A., & Jiang, H. (2021). STATISTICAL BRIEF #286 December 2021. https://hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb286-ED-Frequent-Conditions-2018.pdf
