Healthcare for All: Why Awareness and Advocacy Matter

In the US we often assume that help is available when we need specialists or walk in clinics. But even in America, many people struggle with high costs, insurance barriers, or long wait times. Around the world, though, access can be even more limiting. In some countries, people don’t just face delays or high bills they may not have doctors nearby at all. Whether it’s due to poverty, distance, or a shortage of healthcare workers, the results are the same, too many people go without the care they need.

Many countries, typically third world countries, are even more limited because of the amount of doctors in the area. Take countries like Liberia, Malawi, and Niger. They have only about 14 to 19 doctors per million people. That number is hard to grasp until you compare it to places like the United States, Canada, or the UK, which have around 3,000 doctors per million. That’s a huge gap. Liberia, for example, has only about 77 doctors in the whole country, while the United States has over a million. Even though Liberia has a smaller population, the shortage still leaves many people without the care they need.

This isn’t just a problem in one country. Malawi has only around 1,029 doctors total, and that affects more than just medical appointments. It leads to higher illness and death rates, hurts the economy, and makes managing chronic diseases much harder.

I used to think, “I’m not a doctor, so how could I possibly help?” But over time, I realized there are other ways to make a difference. Some American doctors do travel to provide care in underserved communities, and that’s awesome. But not everyone has the training or time to do that, and that’s completely okay.

There are still ways to help. 

1. First, we need to understand the crisis and what causes it. (I’ve learned so much by reading articles and listening to stories from people affected by the healthcare gap.) 
2. Second, we can talk and advocate for it. Sharing what we know with friends, family, or even on social media can make more people aware. 
3. Third, we can support prevention and treatment efforts by donating, fundraising, or volunteering with organizations that bring care to communities in need.

By doing these steps, together, we can make healthcare more accessible to people all over the world.