Health Disparities

Source: STAT News
Title: See One Woman's Complicated, Costly Journey to a Canadian Strip Mall Pharmacy — All for Cheaper Insulin
Date: March 4, 2020
STEEP Categories: Social, Economic
Link: https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/04/photo-essay-journey-to-canada-for-insulin/
Brief Description: Due to high costs of Insulin in the United States, a 26 year old, Type 1 Diabetic, woman from Santa Cruz, California took it upon herself to travel all the way to Vancouver, Canada for her medication. In the United States, Insulin costs have nearly tripled, making the average cost for a single vial of insulin approximately $300. Whereas, in Canada it's only $50 per vial. 
Future Implications: The costs of Insulin will continue to multiply, with little to no coverage from health insurance companies, making it harder for working class Americans to treat their condition. 
Overall Impact: With the costs of Insulin in the United States raising overtime, this trend creates a new scenario where Diabetic Americans will have to resort to international travel in order to find affordable insulin that isn't covered by their health insurance. This trend also confirms the baseline scenario of health disparities between wealthy Americans and low/middle class Americans. With Diabetes being one of the top ten health problems in the United States, the ability to afford insulin has a negative impact on the progression in eliminating these type of health differences. Those who cannot afford a consistent supply have resorted to rationing their dosage, which can be dangerous and will lead to the widening of the disparity gap overtime. 
Timeliness (0-5): 3
Impact (0-5): 4
Scope (0-5): 2
Likelihood (0-5): 5
Urgency (0-5): 5