Living in the United States at this tumultuous time in history is interesting, to say the least; from politics to climate change, we’re embarking on new territory without any road maps. From a young age, I’ve been taught that this country represents freedom for all and acts as a place of refuge for those who need it. As the third most populous country in the world and with the largest global economy (measured by GDP and wealth), I’ve always believed that my home country has paved the way for the rest of the world in terms of science and technology, healthcare and social reform. However, it has been proven to me time and time again that the American people are being failed on these fronts, with a lack of universal healthcare, inadequate funding for education and minimal food regulation regarding additives, food dyes and company marketing. Does the health of our mind and body not matter? How do other countries do it better, and how can we replicate that?
The United States is the only industrialized First World country on Earth to not offer universal healthcare to its inhabitants, instead relying on private insurance companies, government Medicare programs and employer-sponsored insurance plans to fill in the gaps. With the passage of President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” on July 4, 2025, over the course of the next decade, the US is expected to reduce federal Medicaid funding by almost a trillion dollars, affecting millions of people who depend on this coverage to afford medical care and prescriptions. In comparison, countries like Sweden, Australia, and Denmark have prioritized universal healthcare and made it accessible to all. This means that legal residents in Sweden, for example, are automatically covered for inpatient care, emergency care, mental health services, prescriptions and more, all of which are tax-funded and provided regionally with small co-pays.
We know it’s possible to provide healthcare services to entire nations; we see it every day in neighboring countries, so what’s stopping us from doing the same? To instill significant change, the government would have to change how funds are allocated and put Medicare as a priority, which is easier said than done in the current political climate. I’m certain of the fact that healthcare should not be considered a luxury, but a given.
I think it’s also important to touch upon American food regulation and the diet of a regular American in comparison to Europeans. American culture does not value fresh, whole foods, daily movement, and relaxation in the same way that European culture does; instead, we find ourselves in a constant hurry where there is no choice but to eat a rapid meal without giving it a thought. Within our country, emphasis on convenience and cheap food, along with loose regulation on additives and sugar content, catalyzes high rates of obesity (42% of adult Americans according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and a general lack of nutritional diversity. The capitalistic system within our country, which prioritizes profit above all else, is a major concern for the general health of Americans. Normalizing big businesses cutting corners for bigger margins is something not discussed enough, despite its direct impact on the quality of our goods. Having access to the scientific and economic research that we do, it’s clear to see that this country has huge dietary concerns that need to be addressed through changes in regulation.
For any food product, from a block of cheese to a loaf of bread, US companies are required to include nutrition facts panels that show serving sizes, sodium content, daily values (for a specific vitamin or ingredient) and caloric intake. In contrast, countries like New Zealand and Australia utilize the Health Star Rating system to categorize the nutrition of a specific product from one-half to five stars. The emphasis on nutritional density instead of calories is a significant difference between the two nations, with the HSR system focusing on simple, healthy choices and building consumer trust. Although nutrition fact panels are effective in giving specific granular data, these labels are key to creating a misinformed society that has been programmed to value lower calories over generally healthy food with lower levels of sugar and salt.
Maybe I think too deeply about the food I’m consuming, but at the other end of the spectrum, I think many Americans think too little about the food they eat in a day and how that will affect their health down the line. However, I don’t want to put the blame on the American people; our government should be responsible in looking out for the good of its people and putting stricter regulations on what companies are allowed to put into their consumable products.
Despite the pessimism I’ve expressed about the state of the country today, I’m still hopeful for a better future in the field of health. I’ve seen what other countries with only a fraction of the resources that exist in the United States have been able to do in terms of healthcare and consumer transparency, and I implore our government to consider the importance of these ideas at the national level and the hardworking Americans who deserve it.
