As we leave behind a year that was notable for its combination of natural and human disasters, no one can deny that we live in stressful times.
But stress is not equitably distributed, and neither are stress-related health outcomes. Individuals living below the poverty level have poorer mental health, are diagnosed with more chronic health conditions, and have shorter lifespans. Today, a white American can expect to live 3.5 years longer than a black American, and American men whose income is in the top 1 percent live almost 15 years longer than the poorest 1 percent.
