Healthcare Equality

When it comes to universal health coverage and access to basic healthcare for people around the world, some of the most important principles of governing bodies such as the UN are based on fairness, equality, and ensuring that no one is left behind. Healthcare systems and services are expected to be resilient enough to provide for every citizen of a country. Sadly, governments around the world, especially in developing countries struggle to provide basic health services to its people.

Private health care on the other hand, in many of these countries is not affordable to a large population because of its high cost. Payments for private healthcare becomes an out-of-pocket expense for most people thus leading millions into the state of poverty every year. People try to obtain health care, but lack of financial resource and information leads to worsening of health, which further impacts their income.

Research shows that poverty is highly correlated with poor health, as quality health care services and facilities tend to be more accessible to affluent sections of the society in general, rather than treating people in poor communities with the greatest health care needs. Adolescents, children, and seniors are the most affected ones, because they suffer from mental health disorders, substance use, poor nutrition, injuries, and chronic illnesses.

In the United States, despite of the fact that we have a very advanced health care system, our country is scattered with so called “healthcare deserts,” not just in rural areas but in large cities surrounded by prosperous health care giants. Health care services in these areas have essentially abandoned the poor who are in greater need of health services, and have followed the money instead. The poor are exposed to greater health risks, and are less nourished in general. They do not have access to medical information, thus having a higher risk of illness and disability.

For our nation, and the world to prosper, the policy of ‘Healthcare Equality’ needs to be acknowledged, accepted and implemented universally. If we put this basic principal in practice, we can provide essential health care to people all around the globe, ensuring that the our actions will have a prodigious impact.

– Siya Sharma (10th Grade Student, Santa Clara, CA)

(To leave comments, please click on the title at the top)