The United States is facing a public health crisis as it is failing to safeguard millions of individuals from rising health risks such as overdoses, diabetes, and maternal mortality. However, the United States is not alone in this crisis.
Global societies' health is deteriorating; this is shown by both the population's shortened lifespan and the rising prevalence of comorbidities. The ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the risks and debilitating effects of unhealthy lifestyles. As a result of these unhealthy lifestyles, noncommunicable diseases are on the rise, contributing to “71% of global deaths.” Coronary artery disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes mellitus are becoming increasingly common, putting a majority of the population at risk. Furthermore, in developed nations such as the United States, 50% of premature deaths are caused by “modifiable lifestyle behavioral risk factors,” including smoking, poor nutrition, and inactivity.
The majority of population health risk factors in the United States are closely related to the social, demographic, environmental, economic, and geographic characteristics of the areas where people live and work. Dr. Andrew Wister, director of the Gerontology Research Centre at Simon Fraser University, establishes that “healthy community components can be viewed as closely linked to the built environment.” Furthermore, health issues arising from problematic lifestyles impact not only individuals, but America as a whole. In 2019, the current spending for national health expenditures amounted to $3.795 trillion.
Despite this, problems continue. Therefore changes must be made. We are calling for all generations, especially Gen Z, to work to combat these issues, both by creating awareness and fighting for change.
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