Prompt
In what ways are health inequities related to healthcare access a systemic problem?
Parameters
● Identify one major point from the readings that was a new learning point for you
● Retrieve one article/citation from an article bibliography that was referenced to make this point
● Apply what you learned from reading this additional article
● Address how reading this additional article built upon the major point(s) from the readings
● Discuss contradictory information from the readings’ main point(s)
● Your initial post should follow APA guidelines
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Understanding Health Inequities Related to Healthcare Access as a Systemic Problem
New Learning Point
One major learning point from the readings that stood out to me was the significant impact of social determinants of health on healthcare access and health outcomes. The recognition that factors such as socioeconomic status, education level, and community resources play a crucial role in shaping individuals’ ability to access quality healthcare services was enlightening.
Additional Article Citation
In further exploring this topic, I came across an article by Adler and Stewart (2010) titled “Health Disparities Across the Lifespan: Meaning, Methods, and Mechanisms.” This article provides valuable insights into the mechanisms through which social determinants of health contribute to health inequities and disparities across different age groups.
Application of Additional Article Insights
The article by Adler and Stewart (2010) emphasizes the importance of understanding the complex interplay between social determinants of health and health outcomes. It delves into the mechanisms through which factors such as income inequality, education, employment opportunities, and access to healthcare services can influence individuals’ health trajectories over their lifespan. By acknowledging these interconnected factors, policymakers and healthcare providers can develop targeted interventions to address health inequities more effectively.
Building Upon Major Points from Readings
Reading the article by Adler and Stewart (2010) reinforced the notion that health inequities are deeply rooted in systemic issues related to social determinants of health. The article further underscored the need for comprehensive strategies that address not only healthcare access but also broader societal factors that impact individuals’ well-being. By considering the multifaceted nature of health disparities, interventions can be tailored to target underlying determinants and promote more equitable health outcomes for all populations.
Contradictory Information from Readings
While the main point from the readings highlighted the critical role of social determinants of health in shaping healthcare access and outcomes, some perspectives may downplay the systemic nature of health inequities. Certain arguments might attribute health disparities solely to individual behaviors or genetic predispositions, overlooking the structural barriers that limit access to healthcare for marginalized communities. By addressing contradictory viewpoints and emphasizing the systemic nature of health inequities, a more comprehensive understanding of the issue can be achieved.
In conclusion, delving into the relationship between health inequities, healthcare access, and social determinants of health reveals the intricate web of factors that contribute to disparities in health outcomes. By integrating insights from additional articles such as the one by Adler and Stewart (2010), a deeper understanding of the systemic nature of health inequities emerges, paving the way for more targeted and effective interventions to promote health equity for all individuals.
