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Policy Brief
Decreasing Health Disparities by Improving Access to Education
Policy Leadership and US Healthcare
Lindsey Helms
Western Washington University
February 29, 2016

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Decreasing Health Disparities by Improving Access to Education
Summary
The link between education and health is undeniable. According to the Community Guide
(2014), an online resource aimed at improving community health, education is one of the greatest
factors influencing health and longevity. Given this strong connection, why is higher education
so inaccessible in America? The exorbitant cost of post-secondary education is increasing
differences in health outcomes, known as health disparities in the United States.
Healthy People 2020, an initiative started by the US Department of Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion (DPHP) (2016), is motivated to improve social and physical environments
that promote good health outcomes. This goal is driven by social determinants of health, which
are defined as, conditions in the environment in which people are born, live, learn, work, play,
worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and
risks (DPHP, 2016, para 4). Education is one of the main social determinants of health, and it
affects all of the other aspects and drivers of health indirectly. Access to education impacts
economic stability and job opportunities, which in turn influence a persons ability to live in a
clean and safe neighborhood, have access to healthy foods, and maintain higher levels of health
literacy (DPHP, 2016). Individuals living in poverty are most likely to have poor social
determinants of health, further increasing their need for access to education (CDC, 2015). How
can we expect individuals to figure out how to pay for college if they cannot afford to put food
on the table? It is a vicious cycle that must be broken, and education is the perfect place to start.
Education is one of the five key areas highlighted by Healthy People 2020 that will impact the
health of our society (DPHP, 2016). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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(2015) warn that poverty inhibits an individuals access to a safe environment and nutritional
food, and that higher levels of education predict better health outcomes.
Recommendation
A solution is to offer two free years of community college or technical school to all
Washington State residents. This idea might seem impossible to fund, but it would actually yield
savings in the long term. Les Picker at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
(2011) cites research that shows that individuals with higher levels of education actually have
lower incidence of hypertension, diabetes, and emphysema. The research also shows that higher
education leads to better mental health and less missed days of work. Additionally, individuals
with a higher level of education are less likely to smoke, drink in excess, be obese, or use illegal
drugs. For those skeptical of funding such a policy, Picker (2011) suggests that, the health
returns to education increase the total returns to education by at least 15 percent, and perhaps by
as much as 55 percent (para 3). The returned investment is a healthier and more productive
population and a growing economy. In response to the concern of who will fund this investment,
the numbers speak for themselves. An upfront investment by the federal government, state
government, and taxpayers to fund free community college in Washington State will yield a
savings in unnecessary healthcare cost and productivity lost to illness.
In his 2015 State of the Union Address, President Barak Obama proposed two free years
of community college for any student enrolled at least half time and maintaining a GPA of 2.5 or
higher (Calvert Mason, 2015). His proposal outlined a plan for the federal government to take on
75% of the cost, leaving the final quarter to the states (Calvert Mason, 2015). Washington State
legislators must dedicate their full support, energy, and resources to make community college
free. The health of future generations is dependent on access to education.

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References
Calvert Mason, K. (2015, January). Obama: Community college should be as free and universal
in America as highschool. PBS Newshour. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/
newshour/rundown/community-college-tuition-top-theme-state-union-speech/
Picker, L. (2011). The effects of education on health. The National Bureau of Economic
Research. Retrieved from http://www.nber.org/digest/mar07/w12352.html
The Community Guide (2014). Task force recommends education programs to promote
health equity. Retrieved from http://www.thecommunityguide.org/news/2014/
healthequityeducation.html
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015). Social determinants of health: Know
what affects health. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants/index.htm
US Department of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (2016). Social determinants of
health. Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives/topic/social-determinants-of-health