NR 553 Week 3 Inequality, Power, and Privilege

Inequality, Power, and Privilege

“Today’s real borders are not between nations, but between powerful and powerless, free and fettered, privileged and humiliated. Today, no walls can separate humanitarian or human rights crises in one part of the world from national security crisis in another” (Markle, Fisher, & Smego, 2007).

Kofi Annan’s statement underscores the intricate connections between social injustice, global inequalities, and health outcomes. Health disparities are not solely influenced by biological or medical factors but are deeply embedded within social, political, and economic systems that determine how resources are distributed.

Week 3: Inequality, Power, and Privilege

Identifying a Global Health Inequality

One of the most significant global health inequalities today is access to maternal and child healthcare. Despite considerable progress in medical science, mothers and newborns in many low-income regions still face preventable mortality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2017), maternal mortality is a key measure of global health inequality as it reflects disparities in healthcare systems, access to skilled medical professionals, and financial resources.

Role of Power and Privilege

Power and privilege play decisive roles in determining who receives healthcare and who does not. Wealthier nations and individuals enjoy greater access to modern medical technologies, expert healthcare professionals, and quality treatments. Conversely, marginalized populations—due to poverty, systemic discrimination, or geographical barriers—often struggle to obtain even basic healthcare services (Pickett & Wilkinson, 2015).

For instance, income inequality impacts the ability to afford hospital care, preventive measures, and treatment quality. Privileged populations benefit from private insurance, advanced hospitals, and nutritious food, while underprivileged groups face systemic barriers that lead to higher morbidity and mortality (Powel, 2016).

Socioeconomic Determinants of Health Inequalities

Health inequalities are rooted not only in healthcare availability but also in the broader social determinants of health, including income, education, gender, race, and geography. These determinants perpetuate systemic barriers that lead to long-term disparities in health outcomes.

Table 1

Socioeconomic Determinants and Their Impacts on Health

Daley et al. (2015) note that about 200 million children in developing countries such as Bangladesh are at risk of not achieving their full developmental potential due to malnutrition. Meanwhile, privileged groups living in safe environments with stable nutrition tend to enjoy better health and longevity.

Broader Impacts of Inequality

Socioeconomic disparities extend far beyond immediate health challenges. Williams, Priest, and Anderson (2016) emphasize that individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds face heightened risks of chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, substance abuse, and mental health disorders. These long-term health burdens perpetuate cycles of poverty and illness, reinforcing structural inequality.

Response to Peer

Naomi,

The World Health Organization (2015) highlights that the neonatal period—the first 28 days of life—is the most critical phase for child survival. Unfortunately, many deaths during this period are preventable with affordable and simple interventions. Wardlaw, You, Hug, Amouzou, and Newby (2014) reveal that a large proportion of under-five deaths occur in South Asia, East Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

One effective strategy involves integrating frontline health workers such as nurses, midwives, and community health workers (CHWs) into healthcare delivery. Darmstadt et al. (2013) demonstrate that collaboration between CHWs and healthcare facilities enhances maternal and child health by providing pregnancy care, counseling, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal follow-up—significantly reducing preventable deaths.

Peer and Professor Post

The WHO (2017) identifies maternal mortality as a core indicator of health inequality. Although global maternal mortality decreased by 44% between 1990 and 2015, the United States has shown stagnating or worsening trends, indicating persistent healthcare disparities (Maternal Health Task Force, n.d.).

Response to Professor and Peer

Dr. Fildes and Gwendolyn,

Preventable maternal deaths are closely tied to healthcare inequities, particularly in low-resource settings. Maternal deaths are often caused by inadequate infrastructure, poor emergency obstetric care, and insufficient medical supplies. According to Khan et al. (2006), complications such as postpartum hemorrhage and pre-eclampsia could be avoided through timely medical interventions.

Countries like Nepal and Rwanda demonstrate successful strategies that have significantly improved maternal health outcomes.

Table 2

Examples of Successful Interventions to Reduce Maternal Mortality

These examples illustrate that effective government leadership, international partnerships, and community engagement are critical in addressing maternal health inequalities.

References

Daley, K., Castleden, H., Jamieson, R., Furgal, C., & Ell, L. (2015). Water systems, sanitation, and public health risks in remote communities: Inuit resident perspectives from the Canadian Arctic. Social Science & Medicine, 135, 124–132.

Darmstadt, G. L., Marchant, T., Claeson, M., Brown, W., Morris, S., Donnay, F., & Schellenberg, J. (2013). A strategy for reducing maternal and newborn deaths by 2015 and beyond. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 13(216). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-13-216

Khan, K. S., Wojdyla, D., Say, L., Gülmezoglu, A. M., & Van Look, P. A. (2006). WHO analysis of causes of maternal death: A systematic review. Lancet, 367(9516), 1066–1074.

Markle, W., Fisher, M., & Smego, R. A. (2007). Understanding global health. McGraw-Hill.

Maternal Health Task Force. (n.d.). Maternal mortality. Retrieved from https://www.mhtf.org

Pickett, K. E., & Wilkinson, R. G. (2015). Income inequality and health: A causal review. Social Science & Medicine, 128, 316–326.

Powel, A. (2016). The costs of inequality: Money = quality health care = longer life. Harvard Gazette. Retrieved from https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2016/02/money-quality-health-care-longer-life

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). (2013). Innovative approaches to maternal and newborn health: Case studies. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/health/files/Innovative_Approaches_MNH_CaseStudies-2013.pdf

NR 553 Week 3 Inequality, Power, and Privilege

Wardlaw, T., You, D., Hug, L., Amouzou, A., & Newby, H. (2014). UNICEF report: Enormous progress in child survival but greater focus on newborns urgently needed. Reproductive Health, 11(82). https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-11-82

Williams, D. R., Priest, N., & Anderson, N. B. (2016). Understanding associations among race, socioeconomic status, and health: Patterns and prospects. Health Psychology, 35(4), 407.

World Health Organization. (2015). MDG 4: Reduce child mortality. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/topics/millennium_development_goals/child_mortality/en/

World Health Organization. (2017). Trends in maternal mortality. Retrieved from https://www.who.int