Our national confidence is undermined by the belief that American issues are too deeply ingrained to be resolved covertly. However, a close examination reveals that many of the nation’s most difficult problems are remarkably solvable. There are established precedents for reforming healthcare affordability, which is frequently perceived as a complex web of red tape and greed. States like Colorado and Maryland are demonstrating that access to care need not be accompanied by crippling costs by utilizing bulk drug negotiations and increasing telehealth availability. These tactics are especially helpful for people living in rural areas, where there aren’t many clinics and digital tools can help.
Despite the ongoing trauma caused by gun violence, there has been progress in this country. Public health is the foundation of community-led violence interruption initiatives, such as Chicago’s Cure Violence model. They use data-driven strategies to prevent violence at its source and treat it as contagious. These techniques have proven incredibly successful, particularly in regions where retaliation cycles have historically been prevalent. Basketball players like Dwyane Wade are among the well-known advocates who have voiced their support for cities to embrace more healing-centered strategies.
Being prepared for climate change is no longer just a theory. Cities along the coast, like New York and Miami, are already adjusting by making investments in infrastructure that prepares for severe storms and rising sea levels. The cost of solar and wind energy has decreased dramatically over the last ten years, making the switch to renewables not only sensible from an environmental standpoint but also financially attractive. Federal agencies are reducing their reliance on fossil fuels and promoting innovation by working with the private sector. The momentum is evident, particularly when well-known people like Leonardo DiCaprio use their powerful platforms to spread the word.
Table: Key National Problems in the US and Their Solvable Nature
| Problem Area | Type | Solvable Through | Example Initiative | Verified Source Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflation | Economic | Monetary policy, supply chain reform | Fed interest rates, domestic production | https://www.pewresearch.org |
| Healthcare Affordability | Economic/Social | Telehealth, price negotiation laws | Medicare drug price negotiations | https://www.forbes.com |
| Gun Violence | Social/Public Safety | Community programs, smart gun laws | “Cure Violence” initiative | https://www.cdc.gov |
| Homelessness | Social | Housing-first models, mobile tech | California’s “Project Roomkey” | https://www.hud.gov |
| Racial Inequality | Social/Cultural | Justice reform, education investment | Biden’s Equity Action Plans | https://www.whitehouse.gov |
| Infrastructure | Economic/Environmental | Public investment, green construction | Biden’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill | https://www.transportation.gov |
| Education Inequality | Social | E-learning platforms, broadband access | Free community college proposals | https://www.ed.gov |
| Climate Change | Environmental | Renewable energy, carbon tax | Rejoining Paris Agreement | https://www.epa.gov |
| Mental Health Access | Health/Social | Mobile therapy, insurance reforms | BetterHelp, Talkspace | https://www.nimh.nih.gov |
| Food Insecurity | Social/Economic | Food banks, redistribution apps | “Too Good To Go,” “Feeding America” | https://www.feedingamerica.org |
Although it may seem impossible to end homelessness, cities like Salt Lake City have used a housing-first approach to reduce chronic homelessness by more than 90%. This entails providing stable housing before relying on someone to kick an addiction or land a job. It’s as easy as it sounds. Furthermore, it is abundantly evident that housing significantly enhances a person’s access to stability, work, and healthcare. Current projects like California’s Project Roomkey, which turned abandoned hotels into makeshift shelters, demonstrate what happens when governments take swift action.
The digital divide continues to be an obstinate obstacle in the context of contemporary education. However, resources like Khan Academy, Coursera, and free digital libraries can close that gap with almost universal mobile access. Governments can unlock untapped talent by providing funding for broadband infrastructure and guaranteeing device access for students in underserved communities. Just by bridging the technology gap, student outcomes have significantly improved in North Carolina and Illinois thanks to remarkably successful pilot programs. For children in rural America, this change has had a particularly significant effect.
Roads, bridges, and electrical grids in America have all long been characterized as crumbling. However, that story is evolving. All 50 states have seen the start of thousands of new projects since the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was passed. The advantages of incorporating sustainable building techniques, such as expanded electric vehicle charging stations and low-carbon concrete, go well beyond safety. Additionally, thousands of middle-class jobs are being created by these projects, benefiting the communities most affected by the industrial decline.
Support for mental health, which was previously disregarded and stigmatized, is now at last getting the attention it deserves. Therapy is becoming more widely available, particularly to younger populations, thanks to apps like Talkspace and BetterHelp. Laws mandating insurance coverage for mental health on par with physical health are also catching up. Public figures like Selena Gomez and Prince Harry have greatly aided this change by sharing their personal stories, which inspire millions of people to ask for help without feeling ashamed.
Although there is a long history of racial economic inequality, change is achievable. Economic empowerment is being fueled by targeted investments in small businesses owned by Black and Latinx people. Particularly creative has been the extension of SBA loans and mentorship programs for entrepreneurs of color, which has had a knock-on effect on housing, employment, and community development. NBA great Magic Johnson’s investment company, which focuses on funding minority-owned businesses, serves as an example of how money can make up for past injustices.
Reimagining farming is not necessary to address food insecurity. It needs to be distributed more intelligently. Food-insecure families are paired with unsold restaurant meals via apps such as Too Good To Go. Local farmers are now collaborating with food banks to build stronger supply chains. Often on rooftops or abandoned lots, incredibly adaptable urban farming initiatives are teaching communities and children how to grow their own food. These are scalable and grassroots changes.
Addiction is still a major national health issue. However, deaths can be considerably decreased with the implementation of broader harm reduction measures, such as supervised consumption locations and widespread naloxone availability. These strategies have been used in recent years by cities like Vancouver and New York, which have decreased overdose deaths without raising drug use. Despite its controversy, this strategy is supported by data and saves lives.
The fact that these initiatives are effective is what unites them all. They are actively altering lives all throughout the nation; they are not merely theoretical theories or far-fetched aspirations. These issues are being handled in incredibly effective and surprisingly economical ways through community activism, astute policymaking, and strategic partnerships.
Nevertheless, collective doubt may be the most significant issue of all. We have been conditioned to believe that either our problems are too big to be solved or that progress is impossible. However, a closer look shows that many problems that were once thought to be unchangeable are now being resolved instantly.
