3 chapters across the catalog
Provisional CDC data shows that U.S. life expectancy dropped for the second consecutive year to 76 years, the lowest level since the 1940s. While COVID-19 is cited as the primary driver, the report notes significant racial disparities, with American Indian and Alaska Native populations seeing the most dramatic declines. The U.S. now ranks behind countries like Slovenia, Costa Rica, and Greece in average lifespan.
Vaccine Equity, Racial Prioritization in Distribution
NBC News reported on "vaccine equity," highlighting data from 12 states showing that Black Americans are underrepresented in early vaccination rounds. In Pennsylvania, 1.2% of white residents were vaccinated compared to 0.3% of Black residents. Public health experts are debating whether the CDC should have built racial prioritization into its initial distribution categories to reach communities at higher risk.
Tavis Smiley reports on C-SPAN that black Americans have lost economic ground in every major category over the last decade. Smiley expresses skepticism regarding the effectiveness of the Affordable Care Act in addressing health disparities, specifically noting that key provisions like pre-existing condition protections are being bypassed by insurance companies through tiered medication pricing.
