I am not to sure about the legitimacy of the study mentioned in this CNN Blog article but I thought it made several points that were worthy of discussion. The study in question suggests that regardless of the race of a victim, individuals in low-income minority neighborhoods are less likely to assist an individual who supposedly collapses of Cardiac Arrest and requires CPR.
If this is accurate, what is the reason behind this? The physician who conducted the study suggests several reason:
1. Lack of education
2. Safety concerns
3. Health concerns
4. Fear of legal action
5. Fear of victimization
It is likely that if true the ‘reason’ behind this difference is an interplay of the above reasons. Each holds weight as a possible reality and together form the framework which determines almost all of our decisions: Knowledge, Income, and Fear. These three would indeed prevent someone with lower income, less education and who has experienced victimization from rushing to help someone else. I fear however, that research such as this may caste a negative light on these communities. Could they be viewed as uncaring rather than reacting to their experiences?
Regardless of the reason, if true, this is another example of a socioeconomic health disparity that needs fixing. Unfortunately, I do not agree that simple education will fix problems such as this. There is more at play at a social level than just failed access to education. Education is worth nothing if we are held back by fear.
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Not surprised- and it’s a mix of all of the above, to be sure. Fear of many things, too- folks in poor areas are all to aware of the dangers of HIV and hepatitis, as well as its prevalence in their communities, as well as drug overdose. It’s a pretty common site in Baltimore to drive around and see “nodders”- folks so strung out on opiates, esp. the wonderful prescribed methadone and Xanax cocktails, wash it down it with a 40 and you’re flying, completely legal…..and who would want to go mouth to mouth with a junkie? Esp. one that may have robbed you the day before? How can they tell if it’s cardiac arrest, or someone who is simply high and passed out, best not get involved in case they stab you if they wake up? You’re far more likely to get help in those areas if you’re obviously middle class- heck, even drug dealers have been quite friendly and helpful to me when I’ve been on visits. I suspect it’s the prevalence of addiction more than lack of education, and it’s concurrent risks of the last four things mentioned.