One of the hottest debate topics for the upcoming presidential election has been the choice between universal or free-market health care insurance. However, health care is just damage control, according to contributing doctors of the TV series "Unnatural Causes" on PBS. The real issue is what causes poor health in the first place.
Director of Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness department and an Associate Professor at the University of Louisville School of Public Health Adewale Troutman, prominently featured in the series first episode, "In Sickness and in Wealth," made a guest lecture appearance on campus yesterday to present the episode to a large audience of Penn students, faculty and staff and to discuss the health-wealth gradient.
Troutman said, "Our overall focus is health inequities as a result of systemic forces."
With Troutman's help, doctors nationwide studied the Louisville metro area and found that people tended to live in concentrated areas based upon their income and that poorer residents tended to have worse health.
It was also revealed that there was a 5- to 10-year difference in life expectancy between those in the rich areas and those in the poor.
Social determinants such as race and income have been shown to have measurable, biological effects. Poor people often experience a chronic fight or flight response. This leads to an overproduction of cortisol that can restrict blood flow, causing heart attacks and shrinking parts of the brain.
For his contributions to "Unnatural Causes" and clear record of achievement in public health, Troutman received from the City of Philadelphia a citation from Mayor Nutter presented by Donald Schwarz, Philadelphia City Public Health Commissioner.
Provost Ron Daniels also commented on the issue of health in Philadelphia and told audience members, "President Gutmann and I are extremely proud that Penn leads the way on these issues of community health. There is still a long way to go until we as a country can feel confident that decent health care will be available to all citizens regardless of their ability to pay."
This lecture was sponsored by the Penn Center for Public Health Initiatives, the Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, the College of Physicians of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. The next lecture in Penn's public health series entitled, "When the Bough Breaks" is scheduled for Oct. 20.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.
