(WTTW News)
A recent report from the Chicago Public Health Service Health Disparity Index Committee has widened the life expectancy gap between black and non-black Chicagoers.
Between 2012 and 2017, the gap widened from 8.3 to 9.2. This was before the coronavirus pandemic that had various effects on the Black Chicago people.
According to the report, black Chicagos live on average up to 71.4 years, while non-black Chicagos live on average up to 80.6 years.
Blair Akens, an epidemiologist at the Chicago Public Health Service and a member of the CDPH Health Disparity Index Committee, said:
Aikens said black Chicagoers were disproportionately affected by coronavirus cases and deaths compared to non-black residents.
“It’s for a variety of reasons, some of which are chronic diseases that blacks tend to have more than other racial and ethnic groups,” Akens said.
The report identified five drivers of the life expectancy gap. Chronic disease, homicide, infant mortality, HIV, influenza and other infectious diseases, and opioid overdose.
“One of the biggest consequences is chronic illness, and there are many possible reasons why African-American illness is higher than other Chicago citizens,” said Aiken. “It can be access to healthy fruits and vegetables, safe communities, resources and doctors. All of this has a major impact on why all these disparities are seen in their entirety. . “
The report includes a call for action to address health inequality and begin to close the life expectancy gap. This includes acknowledging systematic racism and demanding more money from the black community, Aiken said.
A committee of five black women began producing the report in 2018.
“In the health sector, we wanted to boost our voice as a black woman,” said YaaSimpson, an epidemiologist at the Chicago Public Health Service and a member of the CDPH Health Equity Index Committee.
“I felt that some leadership didn’t reflect what we wanted to see, so by bringing this group together into a Health Disparity Index Committee, the voices of black plight and a unique perspective. I wanted to deal with it, especially in health care, “Simpson said.
Simpson said this was the first report in the Ministry of Health’s history comparing the health status of black and non-black Chicago citizens. She said this was the first time the health department had a research team for all black women.
Last week, Mayor Lori Lightfoot declared racism a public health crisis.
read: Lightfoot declares racism a public health crisis
According to Simpson, the health sector is working on initiatives to address health inequality. Released in September Healthy Chicago 2025A five-year plan to improve racial and health equity, aimed at reducing the life expectancy gap between black and white Chicago citizens.
CDPH has also allocated $ 9.6 million in COVID-19 relief funding to organizations in six different regions. They will lead the coronavirus vaccination effort and develop plans to address health inequality in those communities.
“And we have us,” Simpson said. “This team was created to address these inequalities among blacks.”
Reports can be found online chicago.gov/BlackHealth
Note: This story will be updated in the video.
Report: Widening Life Expectancy Gap Between Blacks and Non-Black Chicagoers | Chicago News
Source link Report: Widening Life Expectancy Gap Between Blacks and Non-Black Chicagoers | Chicago News
>>>#ad: Don't Miss Today's BEST Amazon Deals!
Originally Appeared Here