### How Income Level Affects Health and Lifespan in Diabetes Income level plays a significant role in determining health and lifespan, especially for those with chronic conditions like diabetes. Lower-income individuals often face barriers to accessing quality healthcare, which can worsen their health outcomes. Here are some key points: 1. **Healthcare Access**: Low-income individuals are less likely to have health insurance, making it difficult to afford regular check-ups, medications, and treatments. This can lead to unmanaged diabetes and complications. 2. **Diet and Exercise**: Healthy food and gym memberships can be expensive. Low-income neighborhoods often lack supermarkets with fresh produce and have fewer parks or safe spaces for exercise. This makes it harder to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 3. **Stress**: Financial instability and living in high-stress environments can worsen diabetes. Stress hormones can increase blood sugar levels, making diabetes harder to manage. 4. **Education**: Lower educational levels are linked to poorer health outcomes. Education can affect health literacy, making it harder for individuals to understand and manage their diabetes effectively. 5. **Environmental Factors**: Low-income communities are often exposed to higher levels of pollution, which can exacerbate health issues like diabetes. Government programs and non-profit organizations can help alleviate some of these burdens by providing financial assistance and access to healthcare services. However, systemic changes are needed to address these disparities fully.