D224 Task 1 Health Disparities Among African Americans in Union City

Grace J.
November 11, 2025November 11, 2025
BSN, D224, Western Governors University

Student Name

Western Governors University

D224 Global and Population Health

Prof. Name

Date

Local City and a Subpopulation at Risk

What is the local city and subpopulation under consideration?

The focus is on Union City, Georgia, emphasizing the African American community living below the poverty line. This subgroup is particularly vulnerable due to socioeconomic disadvantages and associated health challenges, which impact their overall well-being and access to resources.

What is the size of the community and specific subpopulation?

Union City has an estimated population of over 27,000 residents. African Americans make up the majority of the population, accounting for approximately 85.9%. This racial group also represents the largest portion of individuals living in poverty within the city.

What are the gender demographics?

The gender distribution in Union City is:

Gender	Percentage (%)
Male	44.7
Female	55.3

What is the racial composition of Union City?

Race	Percentage (%)
African American	85.9
White	3.9
Hispanic	3.8
Two or more races	3.1

What is the average income and educational attainment?

The average annual income in Union City is approximately $28,110. Educationally, 88.7% of the population have attained at least a high school diploma, reflecting moderate educational achievement within the community.

What percentage of the population lives in poverty?

The overall poverty rate stands at 12.4%, with African Americans below the poverty line comprising 6.1% of the total population.

What are the crime rates in Union City?

Crime Type	Percentage (%)
Murders	13.5
Rapes	22.5
Robberies	35
Assaults	69
Burglaries	92

What are the common occupations in Union City?

Employment in Union City primarily revolves around office-based roles, indicating a workforce engaged mostly in service and administrative positions.

What is the access to healthcare, transportation, and food like?

Transportation: A majority (82.5%) commute by driving alone.
Food Access: Around 190 food stores serve the area, providing varied access to groceries.
Health Insurance Coverage: Only 16.8% of residents have health insurance, signaling significant gaps in healthcare access.

What are the health and nutrition statistics?

Nearly half of the population (48.6%) faces challenges related to health and nutrition, reflecting widespread issues in maintaining adequate health and dietary standards.

What environmental concerns affect the subpopulation?

A pressing environmental concern for African Americans living under the poverty line in Union City is limited access to sanitation facilities. Poor sanitation contributes to higher incidences of hygiene-related diseases. Additionally, homelessness exacerbates these issues by restricting access to stable housing, clean water, and sanitary conditions. Compounding this, Georgia’s elevated cost of living further limits access to these essential services.

How do the demographics of this subpopulation compare to the broader community, and what health concerns are supported by the data?

African Americans in Union City not only form the majority population but also bear a disproportionate share of poverty. Females aged 55-64 represent the largest demographic living in poverty, followed by older females (75+) and those aged 35-44. Challenges such as homelessness, food insecurity, and poor access to necessities like clean water and shelter contribute to adverse physical and mental health outcomes. National data suggest that among homeless individuals, 20% suffer from mental illness, while 16% contend with conditions such as substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or heart disease (Hunger, Homelessness and Mental Health: HOPE Is Here, 2021). These social determinants heavily influence the health status of this population.

What is one social determinant of health (SDOH) affecting this community?

Low income stands out as a crucial social determinant that profoundly impacts health outcomes within this community. It significantly contributes to increased morbidity and premature mortality among African Americans in Union City.

How does low income affect health outcomes?

Economic hardship limits access to critical health resources, including nutritious food, stable housing, and healthcare services. It heightens the risk of mental health issues such as depression, which can escalate to substance abuse and increased vulnerability to chronic diseases like cardiovascular conditions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, African Americans in Georgia experienced elevated mortality rates, partly due to preexisting disparities in healthcare access and socioeconomic factors (Shannon et al., 2022).

What are the primary community health concerns?

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of both death and chronic illness in Georgia, with a disproportionate impact on low-income African Americans. Other challenges include a shortage of healthcare providers and insufficient insurance coverage, which restrict access to necessary medical care.

What health issues drive emergency room visits and hospital admissions?

Injuries are among the leading causes of emergency department visits and hospital admissions within this community (Weiss & Jiang, 2021).

What factors are reducing the quality of life in the community?

The lack of affordable housing, limited healthcare services, and inadequate insurance coverage contribute significantly to the decline in quality of life. These shortages perpetuate health disparities and social instability in Union City.

What resources currently support the subpopulation in addressing social determinants of health?

Resource	Description
SNAP	Provides financial assistance to purchase groceries, enhancing food security.
Medicaid and Medicare	Offer affordable health insurance to eligible low-income individuals and those with comorbidities.

What additional resources are needed to address social determinants of health?

Despite existing support programs like Medicaid, SNAP, Peachtree for Kids, and food banks, further resources are essential:

Educational initiatives to improve high school and college graduation rates, enhancing employment prospects and economic stability.
Expanded mental health services focusing on depression, substance abuse, and related illnesses to support vulnerable individuals.

Investment in education and mental health infrastructure could substantially reduce poverty levels and improve health outcomes within the community.

What evidence-based intervention can address the resource gap in healthcare?

A pivotal intervention involves reducing the Black-white wealth gap that perpetuates health disparities. Historical structural barriers have limited African Americans’ opportunities for wealth accumulation, negatively affecting health outcomes. Research indicates that post-COVID-19, white households recovered economically faster than Black households, which experienced sustained financial hardship (Brookings, 2022). Addressing these disparities requires comprehensive public policy reforms and enhanced fiscal support, including stronger safety nets and targeted income supports.

How will this intervention reduce the resource gap?

Closing the wealth gap through policy reforms and financial assistance can improve African American communities’ access to healthcare, education, and housing. This would reduce economic stressors contributing to poor health, thereby enhancing resilience against future economic downturns and promoting equity in health outcomes.

References

Brookings. (2022, March 9). The Black-white wealth gap left Black households more vulnerable. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-black-white-wealth-gap-left-blackhouseholds-more-vulnerable/

Hunger, homelessness and mental health: HOPE is here. (2021, November 8). https://gahope.org/hunger-homelessness-and-mental-health-hope-is-here/

Shannon, J., Abraham, A. J., Adams, G. B., & Hauer, M. (2022). Racial disparities for COVID-19 mortality in Georgia: Spatial analysis by age based on excess deaths. Social Science & Medicine, 292, 114549. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114549

Union City, GA | Data USA. (n.d.). Data USA. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/union-cityga#economy