No one disputes that better health can lead to a longer life. But the benefits go far beyond that — better health can also lead to a more prosperous life. In fact, in communities where residents enjoy better health, unemployment rates are lower and incomes are higher.footnote1
Unfortunately, too many communities across the United States do not have sufficient access to what is needed to live healthier lives. In communities of color, generations of lack of access to care and health resources have contributed to poorer health outcomes. So, while there has been an overall decline in mortality rates for preventable diseases across the country, the mortality rates for diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and certain types of cancer remain notably higher in Black communities, while Hispanic-Latino and Native American populations experience a high number of diabetes-related deaths.footnote2 And while the causes of these disparities are complex, one thing is clear: “It’s a misperception that people are entirely responsible for their own health,” says Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, chief medical officer for prevention for the American Heart Association.“When we tell people, ‘you gotta eat healthier and be physically active,’ we’re not understanding the context of their lives.”