NR 553 Week 3 Inequality, Power, and Privilege

Grace J.
September 2, 2025September 2, 2025
CU MSN, NR-553

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-553: Global Health

Prof. Name

Date

Inequality, Power, and Privilege

“Today’s real borders are not between nations, but between powerful and powerless, free and fettered, privileged and humiliated. Today, no walls can separate humanitarian or human rights crises in one part of the world from national security crisis in another” (Markle, Fisher, & Smego, 2007).

This statement by Kofi Annan highlights the deep link between social injustice, global inequalities, and health outcomes. Health disparities across the globe are not just determined by medical conditions but are largely shaped by social, political, and economic structures that distribute resources unevenly.

Week 3: Inequality, Power, and Privilege

Identifying a Global Health Inequality

One of the most pressing global health inequalities is access to maternal and child healthcare. Despite medical advancements, many mothers and newborns in low-income countries continue to face preventable deaths. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2017), maternal mortality remains a key indicator of health inequality, reflecting disparities in healthcare infrastructure, trained professionals, and financial resources.

Role of Power and Privilege

Power and privilege heavily influence who receives healthcare and who does not. Wealthier nations and individuals often have access to advanced medical technology, skilled healthcare professionals, and effective treatments, while marginalized populations—due to poverty, geography, or systemic discrimination—struggle to access even basic services (Pickett & Wilkinson, 2015).

For example, income inequality directly affects access to healthcare facilities, preventive services, and quality treatment. Privileged groups benefit from private health insurance, advanced hospitals, and better nutrition, while underprivileged populations face barriers that increase morbidity and mortality rates (Powel, 2016).

Socioeconomic Determinants of Health Inequalities

Health inequalities are not only rooted in medical availability but also in social determinants of health such as education, income, gender, race, and geography. These disparities create systemic barriers that perpetuate cycles of poor health.

Determinant	Impact on Health
Income Inequality	Limits access to hospitals, medication, and preventive care (Powel, 2016).
Education	Lower education levels correlate with poor health literacy and limited healthcare use.
Geography	Rural/remote areas face shortages of clinics and skilled healthcare professionals.
Gender & Race	Discrimination reduces access to equitable healthcare, increasing risks of mortality.
Basic Needs Access	Lack of food, safe water, and sanitation fuels malnutrition and infectious diseases.

For example, Daley et al. (2015) explain that about 200 million children in developing countries like Bangladesh risk not reaching their full developmental potential due to malnutrition. In contrast, privileged populations with stable nutrition and safe living conditions have improved health and longevity.

Broader Impacts of Inequality

Socioeconomic disparities extend beyond immediate illness. Williams, Priest, and Anderson (2016) highlight that individuals with lower socioeconomic status face higher risks of chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, substance abuse, and mental health disorders. These conditions further widen health gaps, leading to cycles of poverty and illness.

Response to Peer

Naomi,

The WHO (2015) emphasizes that the neonatal period (the first 28 days of life) is the most critical for child survival. Sadly, many deaths in this phase are preventable with affordable interventions. Wardlaw, You, Hug, Amouzou, and Newby (2014) note that a significant proportion of under-five deaths occur in South Asia, East Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

A promising solution is the integration of frontline health workers, including nurses, midwives, and community health workers (CHWs). According to Darmstadt et al. (2013), connecting community-based workers with healthcare facilities creates a strong support system for maternal and child health. Such collaborations ensure counseling, pregnancy care, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal care, significantly reducing preventable deaths.

Peer and Professor Post

The WHO (2017) highlights maternal mortality as a central measure of health inequality. While global maternal mortality declined by 44% between 1990 and 2015, the U.S. shows worrying trends where maternal deaths are not decreasing (Maternal Health Task Force, n.d.).

Response to Professor and Peer

Dr. Fildes and Gwendolyn,

Preventable maternal deaths are strongly linked to healthcare inequities. In low-resource countries, maternal deaths are largely due to limited infrastructure, poor emergency obstetric care, and a lack of supplies. Khan et al. (2006) emphasize that complications like postpartum hemorrhage and pre-eclampsia could be avoided with timely interventions.

Countries such as Nepal and Rwanda provide examples of positive interventions.

Country	Intervention	Outcome
Nepal	Partnered with UNICEF to upgrade birthing centers and train community health volunteers.	Reduced maternal mortality from 850 (1991) to 170 per 100,000 live births (2011) (WHO, 2015).
Rwanda	Adopted mobile health (mHealth) system for real-time CHW–facility communication.	Increased facility-based births by 27% and improved maternal care (UNICEF, 2013).

These examples show that government commitment, international collaboration, and community engagement are crucial in tackling maternal health inequalities.

References

Daley, K., Castleden, H., Jamieson, R., Furgal, C., & Ell, L. (2015). Water systems, sanitation, and public health risks in remote communities: Inuit resident perspectives from the Canadian Arctic. Social Science & Medicine, 135, 124-132.

Darmstadt, G. L., Marchant, T., Claeson, M., Brown, W., Morris, S., Donnay, F., & Schellenberg, J. (2013). A strategy for reducing maternal and newborn deaths by 2015 and beyond. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 13(216). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-13-216

Khan, K. S., Wojdyla, D., Say, L., Gülmezoglu, A. M., & Van Look, P. A. (2006). WHO analysis of causes of maternal death: A systematic review. Lancet, 367(9516), 1066-1074.

Markle, W., Fisher, M., & Smego, R. A. (2007). Understanding global health. McGraw-Hill.

Maternal Health Task Force. (n.d.). Maternal mortality. Retrieved from https://www.mhtf.org