In ancient Greece, where medical traditions originated with Hippocrates, the center of focus was the patient. Aboriginal tribes around the world throughout history have taken care of their sick, whether by witch doctors, shaman healers or wise elders. Cost was not a consideration. Healers and physicians were revered and supported by the tribes or states. Oftentimes, gifts were made in thanks from those healed or their families, if possible, but rarely demanded. Progress has shown us to be a far less caring species than those once considered savages. The Ancient Greeks, honored by declaring the Hippocratic Oath when entering the medical profession, are only dishonored by the current behavior.
This is not solely an American problem. It is a concern for all nations. However, as leaders and examples we must find a solution that is both cost effective and equal to the citizens. "All men are created equal" does not include "if they can afford to be." One human has no more inherent right to quality healthcare than another human. Both are humans. Both are citizens. Both should have the same access to the same quality regardless of economic status. This is not the case today. According to the American Cancer Society, more African Americans die of colon and breast cancer than Caucasian Americans. Both are treatable cancers with high success rates. From 1992 through1999 the total cancer death rate among African Americans far exceeded any other race. While other factors contribute to this discrepancy, a major component is the lack of access to quality healthcare.
America and the human race as a whole, is embroiled in the throes of genocide, because realistically, not providing quality healthcare to all is a death sentence to those deemed the lower class. At some point we will have to answer for becoming an elitist world based on the primal instincts of the strong survive and the weak should perish. This process works very well for plants and animals to keep balance, however we are considerably more intelligent than animals and should conduct ourselves in a more humane manner.
In conclusion, I believe there is an answer to the healthcare problem and that it may take much deliberation and calculation to reach. However, I think it is the only path to pursue, quality healthcare for all, regardless of race or economic status. One could easily conclude that it is written within the Constitution of the United States: "...life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." We can neither have life or happiness without health, and health involves healthcare.
Published by donna kiser
Donna Kiser is mother of three, grandmother of six, and a corporate refugee since 2001. She holds a BA in Cultural Studies with a minor in Creative Non Fiction from Columbia College Chicago and is currently... View profile
- Articles in Sociology: Multinational Corporations and Human RightsDiscussion of a "Foreign Affairs" article regarding how multinational corporations are bringing human rights to the labor forces in foreign countries.
- Suppression of "Borat" Noted as Kazakhstan Human Rights ViolationThe U.S. State Department released a report on Wednesday outlining various human rights violations in the central Asian country of Kazakhstan. Among them was the suppression of Borat, a comedy character created by Sa...
- Human Rights - An Agent of Change This article explores human rights, their past, and what role they will have in the future, as well as the difference between the Western and Eastern conception of human rights.
- Catholic Bishops Want Human Rights Afforded to Animal-Human EmbryosRoman Catholic bishops are urging British parliament to afford human rights to animal-human embryos that were created for medical research. The embryos are known as "chimeras" after the mystical half-man, half-animal...
Al-Jazeera Reports US Emissions 'Breach Human Rights'Climate change is "destroying the right [of the Inuit] to life, health property and means of subsistence. States that do not recognize these impacts and take action violate our...
- Making Human Rights a Global Reality
- US Refuses to Join UN Human Rights Council Over Lack of Credibility
- Bush vs. Iraq: How the war on terror became a war on Iraqi human rights
- New York's Illegal Immigrants-Drivers' License Plan Angers African-Americans
- African Americans Political History
- Latinos and African-Americans with Alzheimer's Disease Live Longer
- BiDiL - Drug Specifically Treats Heart Failure in African Americans
- Healthcare is a worldwide concern.
- The Hippocratic Oath is dishonored today.
- Not providing healthcare is a death sentence to those deemed lower class.



