The United States is one of the wealthiest and most powerful countries in the world, but it has its fair share of problems. Because of America’s influence, these problems often bleed into the rest of the world, so no matter where you live, it’s worth knowing what’s going on. Here are 10 of America’s biggest problems and ideas on how to address them:
Table of Contents
1 | Eroding reproductive rights |
2 | Healthcare costs |
3 | Housing costs |
4 | Income inequality |
5 | Extreme heat and weather events |
6 | Gun violence |
7 | Attacks on transgender rights |
8 | Underfunded public education |
9 | Misinformation |
10 | Rising authoritarianism |
#1. Eroding reproductive rights
In 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which stripped away the constitutional right to abortion care. Impacts were immediate and deadly. Stories of women traveling across state lines, doctors fearing lawsuits, and preventable deaths poured in. Ms. Magazine keeps a running list of these deaths, which, at the time of writing, memorialized women like an 18-year-old who rushed to multiple emergency rooms and a mother whose doctors waited too long to act. With Donald Trump returning to power, experts fear his administration could next target abortion medications, birth control, and other reproductive healthcare.
What can be done?
Organizations like Planned Parenthood have resources and ideas on how to get involved, whether that’s through donations or volunteering. Be cautious about who you talk to and what information you post online. Encrypted apps like Signal provide safer alternatives to social media, regular texting, and phone calls.
#2. Healthcare costs
The United States has some of the most expensive healthcare in the world. In 2022, healthcare spending hit $4.5 trillion. In other wealthy countries, the average cost of healthcare per person is half as much as in the US. Health outcomes in the United States are worse, especially since COVID-19. Life expectancy, maternal mortality, some safety measures, and more are all better in other countries, even though they spend less on healthcare. Medical bills, which are responsible for 1 in 3 cases of credit card debt in the US, make it harder to pay for basic goods, education, and everything else.
What can be done?
The organization Dollar For helps people access charity care, which is mandated in the Affordable Care Act for nonprofit hospitals. Undue Medical Debt, another org, uses donations to buy large medical debt at a discount. They have relieved billions of dollars in debt since 2014. The National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics, which serves people who can’t afford big medical bills, has volunteer resources, a list of affordable clinic members, and more on its website.
#3. Housing costs
Housing costs in the US have been climbing for years. In 2022, 19.7 million homeowners were “cost-burdened.” 22.4 million renter households spent more than 30% of their income on housing and utilities, which is the highest number on record. One report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies found that in almost 50% of metro areas, buyers must earn more than $100,000 to afford a “median-priced” house. Racism plays a big role in who is most impacted. In 2020, the homeownership gap between Black and White Americans was 29%, which is wider than when segregation was legal. High rent and homeownership costs have led to a rise in homelessness.
What can be done?
Individuals have limited power over housing costs, but organizations like the National Low Income Housing Coalition, The National Alliance to End Homelessness, and tenant unions conduct advocacy and community action. People who care about housing should also remember “NIMBYISM.” NIMBY, which stands for “Not In My Back Yard,” references residents who oppose affordable housing developments because they’re worried about congestion, crime, and property value. While these concerns are often not based in reality, NIMBYISM can stop affordable housing projects before they begin. Learn what NIMBYISM looks like and how to combat it.
#4. Wealth inequality
The United States is one of the world’s wealthiest countries, but it has terrible inequality. In 2022, the wealthiest families had 71 times the wealth of those in the middle. White families have six times the average wealth of Hispanic and Black families. Why does inequality matter if people have more wealth than many other countries? According to Brookings, inequality leads to less trust in public institutions and poorer democratic governance. It shrinks the middle class and makes it much harder to “move up the ladder,” as it were. Basically, inequality creates a less stable society.
What can be done?
Wealth inequality requires systemic change. Oxfam has a few recommendations, such as policies that raise the minimum wage and enforce more taxes on the wealthiest people and corporations. According to CNBC, America’s millionaires and billionaires evade more than $150 billion in taxes every year. You have no doubt heard that billionaires should pay more in taxes, but even if they only paid what they currently owe, it would help address inequality.
#5. Extreme heat and weather events
In 2024, climate change gave the US its 4th-hottest summer on record. In Phoenix, Arizona, residents endured 113 straight days with temperatures over 100-degrees °F. By September, the US experienced 20 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, while Hurricanes Beryl and Helene killed close to 300 people. Helene hit western North Carolina especially hard, dumping more than 26 inches of rain within 24 hours and wiping out homes, farms, and businesses. The next Trump term could threaten some of the most effective climate change polices, like ones that address pollution, carbon emissions, and drilling.
What can be done?
Climate change is an overwhelming problem, and not just for the United States. As an individual, your choices don’t change much of the world around you, but when everyone starts making different choices, change is possible. What kinds of choices do we mean? Shopping less is a big one; buy only what you need, and buy reused as much as possible. Support organizations like the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and the Climate Justice Alliance. Prepare for climate emergencies, and commit to helping your community during extreme heat and weather events.
#6. Gun violence
It’s unclear how many guns are in the United States, but we know the civilian gun stock is growing, and that the US is importing and manufacturing more guns than ever. In 2022, for the third year in a row, firearms killed more children and teens than any other cause. Every 11 minutes, someone dies from a gunshot. That includes suicides. No other comparable country has so many mass shootings. Why the United States has such a close relationship with guns is complex, with roots in colonialism, a distrust of the government, and powerful ties to identity.
What can be done?
Gun violence is not inevitable. Groups like Everytown suggest actions like calling for bans on assault weapons, joining local student and parent groups, and passing common-sense gun laws like background checks, waiting periods, and high-capacity magazine limits. Gun accidents and suicides can be addressed with more gun safety training, better mental health resources, education, and community support.
#7. Attacks on transgender rights
Attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, especially the transgender community, have been increasing in the United States. Many of these attacks come through legislation. In 2024, 664 anti-trans bills in 43 states were introduced, with 45 of them passing, according to the Trans Legislation Tracker. These target areas like sports, education, employment, healthcare, and other essential rights. The next Trump administration will likely escalate; a director of policy research expects state-level attacks to rise into federal threats.
What can be done?
Whether you belong to the LGBTQ+ community or are an ally, you can support trans people by using their pronouns and names, defending them from abuse and harassment, and making your circle a safe, supportive space. As attacks increase, look for local organizations, schools, and libraries who will no doubt need volunteers, donations, and other support.
#8. Underfunded public education
The United States is a member of UNESCO, who sets standards for how much funding public education should get. However, the US invests only 12.7% of funding toward education, while the international standard is 15%. Underfunding has several consequences, including large class sizes, overwhelmed teachers, and less resources. Kids don’t get the education they need to succeed later in life, which increases poverty rates, food insecurity, homelessness, and countless other issues. The next Trump administration could cut public education even further. Teen Vogue has an article detailing possible impacts on early childhood education, LGBTQ+ students, school safety, community college, and more.
What can be done?
Underfunded education is a nationwide issue, but you can take local action. If you have a child in public school, volunteer when you can and ask teachers, parents, and administrative staff how to help. Even if you don’t have kids in school, you can attend school events that are open to the public and donate to fundraisers. Most teachers have to buy their own supplies, so check in with your local schools and buy items off their lists.
#9. Misinformation
Misinformation has poisoned the American media sphere at every level. Thanks to generative artificial intelligence, which can create massive volumes of photos, websites, videos, and more, the problem is only getting worse. How it affects democracy is a serious issue. According to a journalism professor, the odds of encountering AI-generated 2024 election misinformation were close to 100%. NewsGuard, which tracked misinformation in general, identified 85 false narratives since September, most of which were spread widely. Misinformation is dangerous because it creates false reality “bubbles” that detach us from one another and fuel hatred and chaos.
What can be done?
You can sharpen your critical thinking and ability to spot fake news. First, always consider the source. It is from a well-known outlet or respected journalist? You can’t be expected to recognize every reliable source, so check if the information is repeated elsewhere in sources you do know are legitimate. If you’re looking at an image, watch for things like weird anatomical features (like extra fingers or extra-long arms) or an eerie, perfect sheen. Content involving human rights, natural disasters, elections, or other serious events matters the most, so do your research before amplifying photos or stories.
#10. Rising authoritarianism
On November 5th, 2024, Donald Trump was elected the 47th President of the United States. Less than a month earlier, his former Chief of Staff John Kelly said Trump fits into “the general definition of a fascist.” Trump has praised numerous dictators, said he wants to be a dictator on his first day, called political opponents “enemies within,” and made several statements referencing violence and executions. When he lost the 2020 election, his supporters stormed the US Capitol, and upon being informed that his vice president was in danger, Trump said, “So what?” Some of the problems on this list– such as attacks on trans people and public education funding – worsen with authoritarian policies.
What can be done?
Resisting authoritarianism is hard and dangerous. If things get worse, communication may be monitored, so be careful what you post online, text, or email. Waging Nonviolence has a list of ten ways to prepare, including finding your resistance “lane,” finding people you trust, and understanding that we cannot convince authoritarians to do what we want. Rather, we have to convince pillars of support to resist, which destabilizes the authoritarian’s control. Dictatorships are never truly run by a single person. They need allies, and when those allies vanish, they lose power.