Gene Denton 9

15 minutes east of my home sits the acclaimed cancer center at KU Med. Despite this resource, when my middle-class father was diagnosed with cancer, the health disparities in my community became overwhelmingly obvious.

Why is the neighboring city so much nicer than mine?

Why can’t I go to the doctor?

Why do my friend’s parents rely on substances?

66102 is the zip code I have called home my entire life. Growing up, I accepted that we would always be the “ugly” part of town. What I did not know as a child, is that 66102 has a plethora of healthcare disparities; it is a place where people skip their doctor’s appointments until it is too late, where the rate of uninsured people is 3-4x higher than zip codes 15 minutes away, where people dream of escaping. I admit I am guilty of wanting to leave as well, but I recognize the potential this beautiful part of the city has. I know what it’s like to choose between putting food on the table and paying for health insurance; these experiences are a driving force behind my desire to connect and give back to my community and others like it.

Within my community, it is estimated that 1 in every 10 adults suffer with a serious mental illness, with about 40% of those cases remaining untreated. This is extremely concerning, especially with how poor mental health connects to violence, which also riddles the KC area. Because some neighboring cities do not face this problem as severely, it calls for action here in the KC metro. This is due in part to the fact that mental health remains stigmatized in many communities of color, and that asking for help is considered shameful and weak. While mental health advocacy is becoming more normalized, more culturally-sound work needs to be done to address taboos. Another factor that hinders people from getting mental health care is the price of it. Because a majority of people in Wyandotte County are low or modest income, many do not have the financial means necessary to access care. As a whole, there needs to be more safe and affordable mental health care options, which would make for a healthier and safer Kansas City.

I am convinced that becoming a healthcare professional is the best way to go about doing that. I find it unacceptable that the life expectancy in my community is seven years shorter than people living 15 minutes away. While I have had the opportunity to volunteer for several organizations, I want to increase my efforts by devoting full-time effort. As an aspiring physician, I plan to major in public health on the pre-med track, with an emphasis on primary care.

Once I am a physician, my goal is to remain active in advocacy and research programs that will help to reimagine care in ways that increase access for underserved groups. I also plan to preach about preventative care and educate the community about health-related concerns that relate to them through public health events. One thing that I would like to do is to popularize and create mental health sanctuaries throughout the city, complete with resources on affordable mental health services where people can turn to if needed. My hope is that the sanctuaries will be in community centers with free access, so that money is not an obstacle for people that are low and modest income. This is inspired by my 20/20 Olympics project, where my team and I are currently installing a mental health space into our school. Within the scope of my primary care practice, I want to create a safe culturally-sound environment for all my patients, encouraging them to share how their mental health is doing.

Knowing that there is a plethora of gaps to fill, regarding health equity and resource accessibility, fuels me to pursue medicine. I am capable of making a difference in the lives of many by fighting for equity so that others, no matter their background, can get the services they need to experience a high quality of life.