Anniversary of ‘Walking Man’ story reminds us of social determinants of health
By Dennis Archambault
The Detroit Free Press this month noted the 10th anniversary of “Walking Man,” the story of a factory worker who walked 21 miles daily from his home in Detroit to his employment in Rochester Hills. The story of this man’s will to work, coupled with the “Good Samaritan” angle of someone who chose to give him a ride one day, led to the original news story, a donated car, and other acts of charity that positioned James Robertson to maintain his job, get a better living situation, and live a more comfortable life.
An aspect of this story may be obvious to those in the health and human services field, but not so to many who learned about this story from news accounts: the role that transportation plays in enabling someone to get to their employment, get good food, and get health care. During Social Determinants of Health Month in Michigan it’s worthwhile to consider the story of James Robertson, and his daily struggle to work. Robertson, according to the Free Press, earns $17.30 per hour, which is significantly above Michigan’s minimum wage of $10.56, and just below what is considered to be a living wage, $20.28.
While housing is considered an essential component of health, employment is generally needed to afford housing. In the Detroit metropolitan area, transportation is required to get to job sites. Personal transportation is the most reliable and efficient. Considering these variables, “Walking Man” is a remarkable story of human will and endurance. But how many people can walk more than one mile to work every day, especially on bitter cold winter days that we’re experiencing?
James Robertson cites the “city of angels” in describing his good fortune, but few people without personal transportation are given a free car or benefit from the ongoing charitable support of Good Samaritans over the past 10 years. How many people are not working because they aren’t able to walk miles to work, or can’t access public transportation to get them there? Public transportation connecting lower-income populations with job sites hasn’t improved much in the past 10 years. Even at $17.30 per hour, it’s difficult to maintain a car payment, along with rent for decent housing, healthy food, and other costs of living.
“Walking Man” is a great American story of personal will and community charity. But it’s a cautionary tale during “Social Determinants of Health Month,” reminding us that systems – political, social, and economic – influence these determinants, or drivers of health. Charity has enabled one man to live a decent life. Only system change will enable populations to do the same.
Dennis Archambault is vice president of Public Affairs for Authority Health.
Tags: social determinants of health