Although healthcare should be available to all, due to systematic barriers and financial struggles, this is not always the case. Everyday, more and more minorities struggle with access to basic health care resources. To help combat this issue, Niles North created Uplifting Health, a club dedicated to the mission of creating equal healthcare for minorities. This club is based upon the already existing Uplifting Health organization, started by Niles West students in 2023.
Many minority groups face issues with accessing insurance and lower wages that lead to the struggle for basic health care. At Niles North and West, this is a very personal issue for many students due to the amount of diversity in both schools. Organization founder Yohanna Endashaw explains how this issue has affected her family.
“As the daughter of immigrants from Ethiopia I have witnessed scarcity and surplus; I have witnessed severe health inaccessibility when visiting family back home,” Endashaw said. “This made me realize the health disparities that exist even in my own city, Chicago, experienced by minority communities.”
Creating Uplifting Health in both schools allows for students to feel as if they are making a difference to this problem.
“We’re hoping to raise awareness for people that don’t have adequate access to healthcare, and also give students leadership opportunities, especially if they want to go into the healthcare field someday,” Katerina Papaioannou said.
Since the club is so new, it is looking for ideas from students to help them achieve their mission.
“It’s our first year which is so exciting, and there is a lot of opportunity to take leadership of the club and make it what you want it to be. It’s also cool because we’re collaborating with Niles West, and they started the Uplifting Health organization. So we’re working with them and that’s going to lead to a lot of success in the future” Papaioannou said.
Uplifting Health is a student-run organization that relies on ideas and support from the student body. Please click on this Google Form to share your ideas and get involved.
