1. Equality for Everybody

Upon entering the medical field, medical providers either take the Nightingale and Hippocratic oath. This Swearing by this oath has many duties, with one being that everyone should receive equal treatment. This means that no matter their skin color, race, or background… they cannot be denied the medical care that they need. However, these oaths have not always been upheld. In recent times, there have been multiple cases of mistreatment within the field. This is important, as this is a reason why some people decided to not be involved in healthcare. Though I have not personally witnessed an example of this, there are countless stories of people who have. For example, consider people from the LGBTQ community who have been turned away from care; for reasons having to do with politics. I have a friend who was specifically affected by this, as are a member of this community. Because of laws like this, people who identify with this community like my friend may be unable and unwilling to access healthcare themselves.

2. Cash or Cure?

Access to healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Therefore, having to choose between either is treacherous. Why should there be a struggle whether to pay for the electricity and telephone bills or healthcare? An example where I have seen this in my own life happened to a close family friend. They decided to not get health insurance, as they did not see it as more beneficial for them than paying the bills. Thankfully, they have not had many occurrences where they needed it. However, this can drastically change in the future, thus meaning they should be ready if something were to happen. People should not be living in suspense if this day should come. Instead, as a society, we can work on making healthcare more affordable for those who cannot always afford the expenses it comes with.

3. Care vs. Cost

Likewise, treatment is not always cheap. Within one appointment, there can be several bills. For example, I recently went to a doctor, and upon coming out of the examination had a list of tests that I had to do. Each test was worth over $100 and was followed up with another checkup. After about 3 checkups and 5 tests later, they were still unable to diagnose the problem that I had when I walked in. Recounting from my own experience, it is not ideal to have this money just lying around, waiting for moments like this to be used. More often than not, people who are unable to afford all these tests and checkups do not bother to schedule them at all. The hefty price tag of healthcare often makes it hard for lower-income families to prioritize their health, as they rather use their income on things they need at the moment.

4. Preventative for the Prospective

Early treatment can prevent bigger ones in the future. Tactics like these are often called preventive measures. By taking the necessary steps to prevent future problems, clients can save more money in the long run. However, early treatment is not always seen clearly. And when it is, it can still have a hefty price tag. If there can be a solution where preventative measures can be made affordable, this can be a gamechanger. For example, my mom gets a yearly pap smear and examination to ensure that there is nothing wrong. This is a great measure that my mom takes, thus ensuring that she can prevent future instances from occurring. Access to preventive treatments like this can reduce the chances of a more serious illness in the future; thus, saving money, time, and energy.

5. Worldwide Well-being

There has been much speculation whether having a healthy society has a big impact. While studies tend to show different things, there are a couple of things that truly make a difference. The term “healthy society” is a loose term that does not just mean lessening the death toll. Having access to safe neighborhoods and grocery stores with fresh produce. If opportunities like this are made accessible, it can play a long-lasting role in communities. An example where I have seen this in my life is when I volunteer with some family friends. I remember specifically this one time where we helped pack healthy food for communities that needed them most. Providing a way for them to access healthy meals, it enables them to take one step closer to living a healthy lifestyle.

6. Transformative Treatment

This goes along with how a healthy society can really play an impact on lives. For example, take the community of Mai Wiru in Australia. Their story was featured in the documentary film, “That Sugar” by Damon Gameau. The community developed certain tactics to help their people become healthier. Some of the things they did include establishing a grocery store with fresh produce and creating a class where everyone could come together to learn about the effects of sugar. After the major transformation in Mai Wiru, everyone in the community benefited from it. Fewer people were dying from overdosed sugar intake, and everyone started to really take care of their health. If other communities and countries were to follow this example, the changes seen in Mai Wiru can be replicated on a bigger scale.

7. Personal Prosperity

The term, “Health is Wealth'', is coined very loosely. However, putting it into perspective can really make the difference. If we were all to value our health as another part of our wealth, we can see a dramatic shift. An example where I have seen this in my own life was when it happened to another family friend’s son. Her son did not prioritize his health and instead focused on making money and other things. In the long run, he ended up having to use his money on getting treatment after being sick. I have started to see this in my personal life as well. Throughout high school and my transition into college, I would prioritize school, work, and extracurricular activities over everything else. Since that moment, I have made it a priority to eat healthier food, exercise, and overall, just take time to care for myself. By doing that, I can take care of my health, which is worth more than money and many other things in the world.