Reflecting on Progress, Health, and Racism: 1900 to 2000.

This article focuses on progress, health, and racism, from the year 1900 to 2000. By observing the International Year of Older Persons in 1999, the journal "Health & Social Work," has attempted to raise consciousness about the profound changes ahead as the older society confronts the changing place of all ages within it. The author says that one cannot ignore the ominous disparities between young and old, rich and poor, and most recently, the rich old and the poor young. So finally, it is fitting to acknowledge how enduring are the capitalistic, imperialistic, and racist legacies still underpinning the very foundation of the United States health care system. The demographic changes of the 20th Century, including our aging population structure, have resulted from profound changes in population health. Most social workers have never witnessed the grim living conditions prevalent in 1900, when average life expectancy was 47 years and devastating infectious diseases, hunger, and malnutrition blighted countries throughout the world.