As a responsible world citizens, we must address important issues that go on in the World, and how we solve these issues. When issues are swept under the rug, people’s lives and situations go unnoticed and unsolved. There are many different important issues going on in the World today, such as global poverty. Global poverty is a major issue, with seemingly no end in sight. As responsible world citizens we need to take action if we want to begin to resolve this problem. Without the help of world citizens, this problem will not be fixed, and will continue on for generations to come.
Poverty is not having enough money to meet basic human needs, which include, food, clothing and shelter. However, poverty is much more than simply not having enough money in your possession. The World Bank Organization describes poverty by saying, “Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not having access to school and not knowing how to read. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time. So poverty is a call to action for the poor and the wealthy alike — a call to change the world so that many more may have enough to eat, adequate shelter, access to education and health, protection from violence, and a voice in what happens in their communities.” (The World Bank, 2018). Roughly 10% of the world’s population lives on less than $1.90 a day (The World Bank, 2015). It is important to understand the implications of poverty, mostly physical death due to hunger or sickness. Citizens need to recognize and help the poor because people are dying, and the responsible citizens can help, so it is important to inform people how to help the poverty stricken.
There are many steps that we as citizens can take, to start the effort of decreasing poverty throughout the World. One thing we can do is begin providing access to healthcare to everyone. Overdue, and unpaid medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy (Babb,2018). Poverty also means death, as people die because they are so poor, they don’t have access or the ability to get basic human needs, like food, water, and medicine when stricken with illness. By providing access to free or affordable healthcare, it would allow families to allocate the money they would normally spend on healthcare elsewhere. No one should be dying to even sick simply because they do not have the money for it. Some family physicians and other primary care doctors decided to take matters into their own hands. For example, the “Robin Hood” practice model is a viable solution for patients who remain uninsured or underinsured after the Affordable Care Act (Lin, 2015).
Another step citizens can take is to create more jobs in poverty stricken countries an neighborhoods. Creating jobs in poverty stricken communities and countries will help allow individuals to get an opportunity to pull themselves out of poverty (Babbs, 2018). This solution to global poverty is arguably one of the most effective solutions. Companies who outsource their factories to different countries can build factories in very poor nations, and can create thousands of jobs for people. Also, companies who already have factories or businesses in these poverty stricken countries should raise their minimum wage. By raising the minimum wage in existing jobs, companies would combat recent inflation in both developed and developing countries (Babbs, 2018).
Lastly, another step that we as responsible citizens can take is by advocating for the world’s poor and creating a global awareness of the issues that come with being in poverty. The US is the first country ever to have both the ability and political influence to end poverty. However, the lack of leadership that is shown from the White House and government overall is the biggest obstacle to solving global poverty. All that is needed is for the United States to be committed, and have the want to lead the developed world in dedicating itself to tackle poverty. If people do not understand this issue, and the severity of it, it will be hard to see anyone take action. Awareness is a major key to reducing global poverty.
Global poverty is a major issue, with seemingly no end in sight. However, it is very possible to help end poverty through awareness, job creation and access to healthcare. If responsible world citizens came together in efforts to reduce the poverty level, or even perhaps almost end it, it would save millions and millions of lives.
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