Month: April 2023

Today, we will be discussing an issue that is often overlooked. When we think of human rights crises, our minds often turn towards war-torn nations, countries with high levels of poverty, or states with oppressive governments. The United States is none of those things, but don’t be fooled–there are absolutely human rights abuses happening right here. For my last civic issues blog post I wanted to come full circle, just so that we never forget we still have work to do in improving access to human rights everywhere. I always recall how important it is to recognize our own privileges, because everyone deserves to have access to basic human rights. Unfortunately, the United States’ healthcare system does not allow for that to be possible for all American citizens. 

economic disparities in the United States’ healthcare system; image source 

There are a host of problems with the United States’ healthcare system, but today I want to discuss a specific problem that affects nearly 9 million Americans daily: the soaring prices of prescription drugs, with specific regard to insulin. The cost of prescription drugs in the United States continues to rise, and paired with less than adequate health insurance, a drug that is necessary for people with diabetes for survival becomes unaffordable. Additionally, this problem disproportionally affects marginalized Americans, as those already living with low socioeconomic statuses are likely to have weaker insurance coverage. With no health insurance coverage, insulin can cost up to $1,000 a month, which is simply not possible for many Americans to pay. 

insulin; image source

Diabetes is a condition which causes one’s blood sugar levels to rise at a rate higher than normal. Insulin works by stimulating glucose interacting with cells, which lowers one’s blood sugar. If one’s blood sugar levels become too high, they are put in serious danger, which is why insulin is a critical medication for many individuals with diabetes.

So, what do you do if you can’t pay for a drug you need? People will often resort to unhealthy alternatives if they can’t afford their drugs, such as sharing insulin and taking lower doses than normal or rationing their own supply. Human Rights Watch even says, “In the US, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death and is the leading cause of renal failure, lower limb amputation, and blindness among adults.” Clearly, those with diabetes need insulin to regulate their blood sugar levels. Healthcare is a human right, so it is our civic duty as citizens to ensure we speak up about others not being able to access medications they need to live.

I have always had an innate interest in the cultural values and customs of different nations. I actually lived overseas in Budapest, Hungary for three years when I was in middle school, and living in Europe transformed my world view. Leaving the United States and immersing myself into a completely different culture in Hungary taught me about how drastically different life and cultural norms can be in different nations around the world. One area of current events which had always piqued my interest from the time I can remember was Afghanistan and the United States’ involvement (or lack thereof) in the nation. What really intrigued me was thinking about if the United States’ way of running the world–by that, I mean democracy–can always be viewed as the best or most effective way. Of course, I love living in a democratic nation. But who is to say that the United States has the authority to impose one of America’s strongest institutional values on a completely different nation with diverging customs. 

Afghanistan has had a turmoil-filled past twenty years from United States involvement to high Taliban involvement in the past few. The United States had troops in Afghanistan long after 9/11 and the death of Osama bin Laden. The reason being was to impose democracy and protect Afghan citizens from the raging terrorist group, the Taliban. In 2011, President Barack Obama announced that all U.S. troops would leave Afghanistan by 2014, but the actual withdrawal did not fully end until 2021. This decision and the withdrawal in general are nuanced, because the United States did impose American cultural values on the nation to some regard unethically, but the Taliban did not have effective control of the country during that time. In 2021, however, the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, which has limited women’s rights in the nation and left many citizens without basic human rights. 

U.S. troops in Afghanistan; image source

The philosophy of the Taliban emphasizes a harsh interpretation of Islamic Law, which if taken literally, limits the rights of many women and other ethnic minority groups. The Taliban also prohibits any Western ideologies or influences. Under Taliban rule, young girls in Afghanistan are prohibited from attending secondary school, and women are not allowed to work at all or teach. Women also must cover their entire bodies when out in public and can be arrested for being out in public without a male chaperone. This kind of control over someone simply because of their gender is inhumane and ludicrous. Unfortunately, this shift in power has affected the entire country; the economy of Afghanistan has shrunk immensely and up to 90% of Afghan citizens are now facing food insecurity. 

Women are awarded very limited freedoms in Afghanistan; image source

I think it is incredibly important we are educated about the states of different global nations. It is naive to think that every person, especially people around our ages as college students, are as privileged as we are. Being more aware of the world around us can make us better global citizens, and encourage positive peace if we speak up, which is why I want to share these situations as I read about them!