Problem
Our final book looks at an illness considered a disease of poverty. It gets this designation because it mostly affects people living in poverty, who are least likely to get medical care. Other illnesses that affect the poor more than other populations are diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. Since 2020, the people most affected by COVID were minorities, the poor, and people whose jobs were considered essential.
In the second part of the book, Hernandez introduces us to other people affected by the kissing bug disease. She also discusses communities most likely to be affected by the illness. Our other readings for this book discuss health disparities, focusing on low-income populations and the disproportionate effect of COVID-19 on African American populations and workers in certain sectors. Given what you read this semester, address the following questions:
I. For Tia Dora, living in the United States gave her access to healthcare she did not have in Colombia. Later, become a legal resident gave her even more access to resources. Thinking more broadly, what are the consequences for the other patients discussed in the book. How do you see health equity/inequity show up for them?
II. Thinking about intergenerational trauma and community healing, how would eliminating health disparities and increasing health equity affect intergenerational trauma? Think back to our first book and Carlos's bedwetting issues. How might access to healthcare have helped his family? What would access to mental health care have done for Thomas? Use examples from multiple books. Feel free to use the other course materials as well.
III. Thinking about your profession after college, how can people in your field improve health outcomes for our communities? As a resident of your community who will soon have a completed college education, what is your role and/or responsibility in addressing health equity in our communities?