Access to healthcare can be the difference between early treatment and life-altering diagnosis. Two patients can have the same disease, require the same treatment, and yet experience extremely different outcomes based solely on where they live, how much they make, or their ethnic background. As a biology scholar on the pre-medical track, this reality has shaped how I understand medicine and healthcare. Through my coursework and personal experiences I have learned how illnesses are intensified by social and systemic inequalities that are very preventable.

Studying biology has given me the understanding behind diseases, from genetic mutations to environmental influences. However, many conditions we study such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer do not affect all communities equally. Marginalized communities often experience higher rates of chronic illness, later diagnoses, and poorer health outcomes. Looking at these facts it is obvious that these patterns are not rooted in biology itself but unequal access to healthcare, nutritious food, and health education. This realization has shaped how I view my role as a future medical professional. Not only as someone who will take care of patients, but as an advocate for equality within the healthcare system.

Bridging the gap in healthcare disparities requires physicians who are willing to challenge inequities and serve underserved communities. Preventative care, early intervention, and patient education are powerful tools in reducing health gaps, yet these services are least accessible to those who need them most. I hope to contribute to efforts that expand access to quality care

Ultimately, my major, my future profession, and my commitment to reducing healthcare disparities is inseparable. Biology has given me the scientific foundation to understand disease, while. Medicine offers me the platform to apply that knowledge in meaningful ways. Bridging healthcare disparities is not an optional aspect of my future career. It is central to why I chose this path. I hope to become a physician who not only treats illness, but also works to create a more just and equitable healthcare system for all.