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This study investigates the persistent health inequalities in the United States, despite medical advancements, focusing on racial and economic disparities. It identifies structural roots including economic and geographical resource imbalances and the impact of historical and institutional racism. The study proposes a universal medical security system and mandatory racial equality impact assessments to address these inequalities.
Health inequality in the US is perpetuated by systemic economic imbalances and historical racism, necessitating policy interventions beyond medical advancements.
This study focuses on the long-standing health inequality phenomenon in the United States, finding that despite the advanced medical technology and significant investment in research and development in the country, the health gap between different racial and economic groups remains significant. This paper aims to explore the reasons behind this contradictory phenomenon. Based on the theoretical framework of health social determinants, the study first describes the current manifestations of health inequality, including the continuously expanding gap in life expectancy and phenomena such as "despair caused by medical costs". Subsequently, the article conducts an analysis from two structural roots: one is the long-standing systematic distribution imbalance of economic resources and geographical space; the other is the continuous influence of historical and institutional racism. These two reasons jointly lead to the decline in individual and group health levels, the impairment of the medical system's efficiency, and the weakening of the overall resilience of society. To address these issues, this paper proposes dual-track reform suggestions: one is to establish a universal medical security system centered on universal prevention; the other is to implement mandatory racial equality impact assessment and data accountability mechanisms to eliminate institutional discrimination. From the conclusion, it can be seen that this study not only systematically explains the deep-seated reasons for health inequality but also provides specific paths and values for policy makers, the healthcare and insurance industries, and social investors to promote health equity and develop innovative solutions.
