The redistribution of Health

This piece first appeared at http://www.goodenoughcaring.com on March 19th, 2010

It is welcome news that 32 million citizens of the USA who previously had little or no access to effective health services now do so. On a global scale this may seem a small step towards alleviating the consequences of poverty but it represents an unprecedented caring and nurturing initiative taken on behalf of all the people of the USA by its democratically elected government. Barack Obama’s, as well as his supporters’ determination and achievement should not be underestimated. Since the 1930s when these ideas were first mooted, there has been, and there remains, a great deal of opposition in the USA to the kind of health legislation the government is introducing. To citizens of the European Union where basic health services are, as far as we are aware, accessible to all what Obama and his government have done may not appear remarkable but the symbolic message it sends throughout the world is immense. If all political leaders could for a moment get off the fence of expedience – an expedience fuelled by the power of wealthy interests - and follow Obama’s determined lead and confront poverty we may begin to hold out hope that the social, educational and material riches of our world will be available to all children and be shared more equably. (Posted March 19th)

Comments

Nancy Mohindra writes "When we live in a wealthy society or when our way of living is comfortable words such as poverty, inequality, or empathy are just terms without connection to real people or real experiences-let’s remember that it is not always the case!. For this reason, among others, is why I consider so relevant research on social realities and its impact on mental health, well-being and social cohesion. Financial solvency is important to our welfare; however, inclusion and acknowledgment of our existence by our fellow citizen is what increases or reduces health status and life expectancy. That it sounds pathetic to resort to hard evidence to push for new legislation and reforms to protect less favoured communities, I agree. Hence, my call is for it, let’s do qualitative and quantitative research on the effects of inequality and indifference on the quality of life of our fellow citizens and so in our own lives. Let’s show and prove that a society which includes everybody pays and it pays well to everybody".