American society is in need of some change. A specific social reform in the area of poverty is necessary. If I were a social reformer, I would address our American society’s problem of hunger. Hunger should not exist because many people have more than enough money. This money could be used to help feed the hungry instead of being spent on unnecessary items. There is no need to have death from starvation when the problem may be fixed. Although hunger hurts everyone, children and elderly are most at risk.
Children need proper nutrition to grow and develop. They are likely to become ill if they do not receive a proper nutrition. Maine’s Department of Human Services conducted a study, which showed that poor children were three times more likely to die of disease caused by starvation than other children. Studies estimate that twenty-seven children, in the United States alone, die from health issues relation to poverty, such as an inadequate diet.
The elderly people in American society are also at a very high risk of illness because of hunger. Many elderly people need medically prescribed diets to stay healthy. Approximately eighty-five percent of senior citizens suffer from chronic conditions that influence their nutritional needs. Some are unable to absorb the nutrients they need from a normal diet. They must eat highly nutritious foods in order to stay healthy. Along with these problems, as people get older, they become more vulnerable to illness. A lack of nutrition increases this risk. Unfortunately, not all of these necessities are available to those suffering from poverty. This problem leads to the suffering and death of many.
Hunger is considered to be a silent epidemic. Because of this, it is hard to estimate how many people in the United States are facing the issue. In the United States, poverty is considered to be living on less than the income level necessary to guarantee health and survival. Nearly thirty-five million Americans fall below these...