SOC211H5 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Mass Incarceration, Health Equity, Mental Health Court
Document Summary
Centers for disease control and prevention said: 7/10 greatest public health achievements in the us during the 20th century (immunizations, motor-vehicle safety, workplace safety, infectious disease control, and food safety) were grounded in the use of law. Federal laws and programs are legal building blocks that, in theory, provide the foundation for a healthy nation. Housing, education, labor, lending, transportation, and criminal justice undermine health. Need to be recognized as often being the result of laws or their unjust application. Example: a housing code that goes unenforced in an asthmatic child"s apartment often means that the child"s health condition worsens, resulting in missed school days, missed work days for her parents, and unnecessary medical bills. Mass incarceration of african-american males has associated negative health consequences for incarcerated individuals, their families, and their communities. Unequal distribution of social benefits, incomes, and punishments, contributing to a raft of health disparities.
