Carol Apt
South Carolina State University, USA
Title: The stratification system of the United States: Correlations between social class and health
Biography
Biography: Carol Apt
Abstract
The United States is stratified on the basis of class and there is both upward and downward mobility. An individual’s social class is determined by three factors: Education, occupation and income. It is often assumed that there are three social classes in the United States: Upper, middle and lower but this method of categorization is simplistic and does not give an accurate picture of America in the 21st century, as values, behaviors, morbidity & mortality, even weight, differ significantly by social class. This presentation will contain explanations of the American stratification system as it currently exists, along with descriptions of the key demographic variables of each social class. This presentation will focus on health issues faced by Americans in various social classes and will illuminate how social class can affect one’s health with emphasis on the interaction between maternal & child health, obesity, life expectancy, poverty and geographic location.