Aggregated News
Last year, The Detroit News covered a disturbing story of health inequity. For children, Detroit is the deadliest city in the United States due to premature birth and violence.
Detroit children through age 18 died at a rate of 120 per 100,000.
In neighboring communities, the likelihood of an early death is significantly lower. In Oakland County, child mortality occurs at a rate of 45.4 per 100,000. In Macomb County, 44.6. How can these stark differences be explained?
More importantly, what kind of interventions have the potential to equalize opportunity for life and health?
A critical mass of knowledge now exists about the role of social factors that set the stage for health. Where health was once considered a question of genetics, individual behaviors and medical treatment, new models are illuminating powerful connections between health, resources and environment.
When we view Metro Detroit through the lens of social determinants of health, certain facts stand out and pathways for improvement emerge. We can begin to understand the roots of health differences in the region.
The World Health Organization defines...