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  Advocating for Health Literacy in the United States

  Melissa Adamson

  Eighty-eight percent of adults in the United States are below proficient in health literacy which means they are unable to obtain, read, understand, and use healthcare information in order to make appropriate health decisions and follow instructions for treatment, thus resulting in continued poor health.

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  An Uninvited Guest: COVID-19

  Hamza Alvi

  We are currently facing an unprecedented pandemic that has killed thousands and has rapidly disrupted the status quo for billions across the world. We have a shared responsibility to decrease the transmission of COVID-19. As St. Louis Food Angels (STLFA), our mission is to offer free delivery of groceries and/or prepped meals to senior citizens, at-risk populations, and healthcare providers. STLFA has partnered with WashU Med Student Coronavirus Response volunteer team, and is providing delivery for two cases: (1) the delivery to individuals’ homes from food hubs where the food is already purchased (prepared meals and unprepared foods) for existing charities (e.g. non-profit organizations) that need assistance in getting food individuals’ homes; and (2) providing grocery shopping or pickup services (currently we are only able to pick up pre-purchased grocery orders). For the latter case, STLFA is assisting those without internet access to help them place their orders online by taking information over the phone.

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  Covid-19 and Its Impact

  Katherine Dowling

  This presentation is about the impact of Covid-19 on marginalized communities in the U.S. I will be talking about Covid-19 from the beginning all the way to the present time. Since this is an ongoing pandemic there is more information that comes out every day about it. I will be talking about the impact Covid-19 had not only on the communities but also about how the vaccine rollout targeted specific audiences.

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  Advocating for Clean Water

  Kaitlyn Holmberg

  Despite regulations put in place, populations living in the United States are struggling with access to clean, safe drinking water. Lack of urgency on the matter has led to exploitation of natural human rights and preventable health disparities. The time is now to see the importance of this social justice issue and restore our communities for a more sustainable future.

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  Cost-Related Nonadherence (CRN) to Medication

  Jessica Kassel

  Cost-related nonadherence (CRN) to medication is a growing health-care issue in the United States. CRN to medication is usually defined as skipping doses, taking less medication than prescribed, and/or delaying medication use due to costs. Among 11 developed countries, the United States’ CRN to medication is the highest at 17 percent. When individuals experience CRN to medication, they become vulnerable to additional adverse health outcomes, which may lead to more frequent hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and, in the worst-case scenario, death. Mitigation of CRN to medicine may lead to a reduction in patients’ use of health-care services by improving patients’ overall health and preventing hospital admissions.

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  Inequalities in Public Education Funding

  Carrie LaChance

  Large funding differences are generated between wealthy and impoverished communities because nearly half of the funds come from local property taxes. Various funding formulas lead to differences and racial segregation in our communities and schools.

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  Advocating to Diminish Postpartum Depression

  Casey Linsenbardt

  One in eight women will experience postpartum depression symptoms. The most vulnerable are women of color and women of low social economic statuses.

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  Domestic Violence Awareness

  Katherine Sengheiser

  One out of four women have experienced domestic violence in the United States. Domestic violence hotlines receive approximately 20,000 calls per day. Public health experts have classified domestic violence as a public health crisis due to the following factors:

  • Significant number of individuals affected
  • High healthcare costs
  • The need for a multidisciplinary healthcare team for treatment and intervention

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  Understanding Food Insecurity

  Maxwell Stapleton

  Food insecurity is a widespread issue plaguing roughly 12.3% of households in the United States, which is a total of roughly 15.6 million families. It is defined as the limited or uncertain access to adequate and nutritious food. At times, it is struggling to find any food at all and wondering when your next meal will be. Food insecure areas tend to have less supermarkets and convenience stores, resulting in lower availability of healthy food options like fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and more.

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  Hidden Truth: Life Without a Roof

  Holly Steen

  Homelessness is a complex social issue with many underlining causes. Due to the increase in homelessness in the U.S.A., it is important to advocate for viable and sustainable solution to end the crisis.

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  The Education Gap, What It Is, Why it Matters & How We Can Close It

  Kayla Vescovo

  Education Equity is education that is fair and inclusive. Understanding that each student has different needs and capabilities is the first step of attaining education equity. Research suggests, low-income students of color have less academic achievement due to barriers associated with Social Determinants of Health, economic stability, social & community context, neighborhood & environment, health care, and education. Providing students with resources based off individual need will provide a better quality of education. Education equity matters because high- and low-income students do not have the same starting point in life, therefore not all students have the same opportunities to thrive. From the years 2000-2011, the number of high poverty schools in the United States increased 60%, and in 2017, 1 out of every 4 schools were considered high poverty. As the education gap grows larger, if it is not closed, students from low-income households will continue to be left behind.