Perspectives — HUHPR

Social Determinants of Health: The Effect of Race and Class on Health in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Due to employer-based insurance as the primary form of healthcare coverage in the United States, the onset of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and related large-scale shutdowns led to massive job and thus coverage losses throughout the initial stages of the pandemic. The overlap between “essential workers” and the under-insured or uninsured leads to inadequate medical treatments and interventions that likely cannot be prevented without altering or redesigning the entire American health insurance system.

HHPRApril 6, 2023Comment

Considerations for Addressing Inadequate Sewage Management in the Southern United States

Households lacking access to effective sewage management systems must often resort to substandard, crude solutions. This introduces various health risks, such as parasitic infection, which has been documented in the American South. Legacies of discrimination have resulted in financial pressures and legal complexities for residents in the Southern region, limiting the ability of residents to independently address sanitation challenges at their homes.

HHPRMarch 23, 2023Comment

A Values-Based Argument for Universal Healthcare in the United States

It is unacceptable that the United States, which prides itself on being a global power and proponent of democracy, deprives its citizens of the access to quality, affordable healthcare that all people deserve. Contrary to frequent arguments that national healthcare systems inherently contravene core American values, I argue that a system of universal healthcare must instead be constructed to fully realize these ideals — principally, innovation, quality, and liberty of choice.

Public Health, Health ReformHHPRMarch 22, 2023health insurance, universal health care, health care, america, politics, quality, innovationComment

A Policy of Diversity and Inclusiveness in Clinical Trials: What it Means for African Americans with Cancer

African Americans with cancer face many challenges to their care. Clinical trials can offer these patients life-saving options, and their participation can provide researchers and clinicians with a better understanding of their disease and treatment strategies. However, Black patients only represent 5 percent of trial participants despite making up 15 percent of cancer patients. More needs to be done to connect them to current scientific studies. A diverse and inclusive policy strategy for recruiting these patients can lead to higher rates of enrollment in clinical trials and better overall outcomes.

Health ReformHHPRFebruary 24, 2023diveristy, african americans, clinical trials, cancer, health insurance, health careComment

Genetic Exceptionalism: The Barrier to a Better Future

Genetic exceptionalism, or the long-standing belief that genetic information is superior in importance, influence, and privacy to any other type of personal information, even medical information, is inherent to our historical discovery and subsequent understanding of the human genome. However, as our technology advances and academic possibilities expand, genetic exceptionalism has become a largely outdated concept.

Research And TechnologyHHPRFebruary 22, 2023genetics, health insurance, genes, DNA, researchComment

Health Considerations of the Migrant Buses and Planes

Health is all encompassing; there is so much more to an individual’s health than just the absence of disease. Access to healthcare, education, social services, food security, and living in a supportive environment are all factors—and these have all been disrupted as the migrants are forced from one location to another.

Politics, State/Local Issues, Ethical IssuesHHPRJanuary 29, 2023immigrant rights, migrants, politics, Florida, mexico, immigrationComment