Author
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THORNTON, ALMA - SOUTHERN UNIV A&M COLLEGE |
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Submitted to: Nutrition and Health Status in the Lower Mississippi Delta of AR, LA, & MS
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: As of 1990, approximately 9.1 million people lived in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Fifty-eight percent of the population of these states is located in an area referred to as the lower Delta. In 1990: 1) Approximately 34 percent of the lower Delta population in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi are African-American, compared to 12 percent nationally. 2) 12 percent of the lower Delta population are 65 years of age or older, similar to national level. 3) 28 percent of the lower Delta population are 17 years of age or younger, in contrast to 9.2 percent nationally. The region has a large number of people of non-working age, i.e., the total number of children and persons over 65 years of age. Educational attainment in the region is well below the national average. More than 13 percent of adults in this Delta area, compared to less than 8 percent nationwide, have less than a ninth grade education. The unemployment rate of African Americans is much higher than the general population. Mean income is lower. Because of these barriers of age, education, income and race, accessing health care and nutrition is a significant problem in this population. The social, economic and demographic profiles of the Delta portray an economically blighted region with serious socioeconomic problems impacting health and well being of the population. A real need exists for strong, well-targeted programs to address the social, nutrition and health problems. |
