By Nyah Fyfe American parents overwhelmingly support teaching sex education in schools. Yet, 12 states across the country have no mandatory sex education at all—not even on the risks of HIV. Of the states offering sex ed, 29 require an emphasis on abstinence. Studies show, however, that there are reduced rates of sexual activity, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), teen pregnancy, and risky sex behaviors among adolescents who receive comprehensive sex education. States dictate sex education laws, therefore the lessons youth are taught in relation to sex and sexuality vary greatly. Though a ..read more

By Keely Driscoll The legal relationship between Tribal Nations and the United States exists on a foundation of constitutional, treaty, and case law. The federal trust responsibility is a foundational Federal Indian Law principle that derives from early Indian law case precedent within the Marshall Trilogy. The federal trust responsibility establishes the U.S. government’s obligation to protect Tribal governmental and service interests. In the realm of health care, the federal government has reinforced its trust responsibility by establishing the Indian Health Service (IHS), recognizing “healt ..read more

By Sophie Staires “Banning books is wrong. Instead of erasing history, let’s make history.” These words were uttered by President Joe Biden in his 2024 State of the Union address. But despite the president’s blatant disapproval, book bans have been on the rise in public libraries and schools nationwide. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution is commonly cited in arguments against book bans because such bans violate children’s rights to receive information and authors’ rights to distribute information. Facing what seems like a clear constitutional violation, this argument has d ..read more

By Kyle Bycroft Arizona’s unhoused seniors are experiencing a dual crisis: Their ranks are steadily rising, and their unique health needs are going unmet. This crisis is exacerbated by the heavy-handed treatment of unhoused individuals coupled with a lack of places for them to go. While the state and federal governments may soon bring some measure of relief, solutions may be flawed or get undercut by the de facto criminalization of homelessness—damaging unhoused seniors’ trust in government and offending their dignity. By the last nationwide count in 2019, almost 250,000 Americans 55 or older ..read more

By Princewill Ekwuribe During the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 20 million Americans filed for unemployment insurance. Many businesses shut down due to public health restrictions implemented by state and federal governments, leading to mass unemployment. As Americans navigated the pandemic, they discovered another pressing issue: the infeasibility of filing for and obtaining unemployment insurance (UI). The national unemployment rate saw an unprecedented spike at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.) The United States government delegates UI ..read more

By Suha Farid Fasih The haunting symbol of a red hand over a person’s mouth has become emblematic of a movement demanding justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. A grim reality plagues Native communities, as murder is the third leading cause of death for Native women. That statistic increases to 10 times the national average on certain Native American reservations. According to the Urban Indian Health Institute, approximately four in five Native women have experienced violence, with Native women twice as likely as their white counterparts to endure such trauma. The red hand symboliz ..read more

By Han Jeong Many United States employers have opted to provide risk-rated health insurance to employees, meaning premiums are determined by the employees’ preexisting conditions. This approach often results in higher costs to insure employees with disabilities compared to their non-disabled counterparts, leading to discrimination in business practices aimed at maximizing profits and minimizing costs and risks. Congress intended to address this issue under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which aims to prohibit discrimination based on disabilities, but its attempt to address health c ..read more

By Sukhmani Singh Opening monthly utility bills often brings a sense of dread as individuals face the burden of soaring energy costs. Unfortunately, these expenses are not just an annoyance; for many individuals, utility bills have become a matter of life and death. Recent studies shed light on the chilling reality of high energy prices and their deadly consequences, painting a picture of social injustice perpetuated by corporate greed. High energy costs and unexpected shutoffs not only threaten wallets—they threaten lives. Access to affordable energy is essential to health and safety, especia ..read more

By Kylie Yanes “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” — Louisa May Alcott EDITOR’S NOTE: The following blog post discusses suicide and mental illness. According to the World Health Organization, about one in four people globally will be affected by a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. Each year, an estimated 700,000 people worldwide take their own lives; suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds. These statistics are startling because they show that mental health will almost undoubtedly play a role in our own lives, or ..read more

By Shandiin Herrera Health and safety are foundational concepts necessary to ensure a thriving community. In Indian Country, protecting and supporting individual tribal members are top priorities for tribal leaders. This commitment to wellness is further reflected in the nation-to-nation relationship between sovereign tribal nations and the United States government. For example, the Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within the federal Department of Health and Human Resources, is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. Arizona tribal member ..read more