ISSUE IV: Health

Humanité Issue 4

cover

How long has it been since we last inhaled air—whether it be a stinging winter gust or flowery-scented spring breeze—free of worry? Who knew a virus would be so persistent and adaptable, completely changing the landscape of society for the past two years?

Yet that is the reality that confronts us, and perhaps the future that awaits us as well. Hence additional attention must be paid to our collective health, which is the subject of our fourth issue. COVID-19 has given rise to a myriad of health-related issues regarding mental health, vaccination statuses, and more that are discussed by Humanité writers.

But this was also an opportunity to shed light on other health concerns such as NTDs, embryonic treatment, and even bodily autonomy. A number of articles also address challenges students face, highlighting the importance of de-stressing, sleeping, staying upbeat in such bleak times. We are, after all, a student organization, and those issues are prominent in our minds.

As you flip through our articles, we hope to give some insight and provide emotional solace. Feel free to reach out if you have any feedback, or if you wish to contribute to our magazine in any way.

We hope our voices resonate with you.

JAPAN VACCINE

With Japan finally distributing the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine, the Japanese population has had mixed responses on the new and unknown vaccines. Some, skeptical of the effects, choose to delay their vaccine appointment until they have observed how the vaccine affected their fellow members of society. Others, excited by the revolutionary scientific innovation, try to set their appointment as early as possible. However, unlike many in the US, Japanese citizens don’t turn these differences into a reason for division. Instead, many have chosen to keep their beliefs quiet.

The COVID-19 infection rate in Japan was relatively low compared to other countries at the beginning of the pandemic, which led to a general sense of calmness among members of Japanese society. The Japanese government added to this sense of

“EVERYTHING IS

O K AY ”

by issuing relaxed and optional lockdowns, which they called a State of Emergency. The government was not in a position to issue laws any harsher, however, as the Japanese constitution currently prohibits issuing most types of mandatory laws.

This odd aspect of the constitution stems from the aftermath of WWII. The US and other states forced Japan to alter its government in order to make sure that the Japanese could never repeat their war actions again. This soft and non-restrictive style of governing means that Japan’s low crime rate and low COVID-19 cases are a result of Japanese citizens following an honor code. An honor code!

Japan’s entire coronavirus response depends on its citizens following what they think is right.

The reason why this system works in Japan is largely due to Japanese culture. From a young age, Japanese parents instill in their children a sense of conformity and obedience. Children are taught Writing: Ryan Haddad Layout: Andrew Ham

4

to not stand out. Also, prior to COVID-19, Japan already had a pro-mask culture in place, which has been beneficial to the current situation by working out in the Japanese government’s favor.

A Japanese citizen who attends the American School in Japan commented on the vaccine issue by saying, “since I am interested in biology and chemistry… I got the vaccine as soon as I could.

I trust the scientists.” This is a perspective that Japanese people uncommonly have; the more widespread opinions about vaccines are more moderate and hesitant. This is demonstrated through the words of a Japanese college student when he said that “since the vaccine is so new, I am unsure whether to get it now. I don’t want to end up regretting it a year from now.” This college student also mentioned how “Japan seems to be doing fine right now with the COVID-19 situation, even without vaccinations, they don’t talk about it as much now on TV as before.” The Japanese government as a whole has not done a spectacular job encouraging the public to take COVID-19 seriously, and as a result, safety and vaccination awareness and adherence is not high.

These dispositions give onlookers a good idea of where the Japanese public currently is with their attitude towards vaccines.

Apart from all of the mixed perspectives about vaccines, there is no doubt that Japan is moving in the right direction with vaccinations. The Japanese government has ramped up vaccine distribution greatly, boosting the percentage of those fully vaccinated of those that are able to get vaccinated from around 25% in early August to almost 70% in mid-October. Furthermore, around 80% of the vaccines being distributed are Pfizer, which, depending on one’s values, is arguably one of the more effective brands.

Overall, although it started with a rough start, Japan is headed for a brighter future, with the vaccine rollout going smoothly and swiftly, and with more of the general Japanese public becoming more comfortable with getting vaccinated.

5

“Depression? Isn’t that just a fancy way for feeling bummed out?”

Diary:

Preface: While elements of this diary may seem comedic, we would like to note as authors that depression is a very serious matter that should be treated with the utmost gravity. If you or anyone you know suffers from depression, directly email bryan.kim23@stu.siskorea.org for moral support.

Writing: Daniel Kim, Brian Cho Layout: Relli Kondo

6

Day 1 Hey, diary. I started writing to you because of my therapist. She told me that writing my feelings or my day-to-day experiences may help alleviate some of my bad feelings. I don’t know if it’ll work but it can’t hurt to try.

My name is Jim Kim. I am a junior attending Seoul International School, a Korean private school. On the surface, I look like any other teenager. I play video games. I take tests. I watch youtube. But on the inside, I feel different. I feel empty. I feel like I am wandering around a meaningless void without an objective in life. Sometimes, I wonder why I am even here on this planet. What purpose do I serve?

But there is someone that gives me a reason to live, someone I have been interested in loved for quite some time now. Her name is Ava. Whenever I am around her, I feel truly happy. I am planning on asking her out next week.

7

Day 7 Hey, diary. I don’t know why I’m still writing. I don’t know. I really don’t know what to do. I’m confused. I don’t really know.

Ava said no.

And the worst part is, I didn’t even cry afterwards. I just sat there and left and came back home and yeah. I didn’t know how to react. I got this huge migraine and ate a couple of Advils but it’s not really stopping. I couldn’t sleep for a while so I’m writing this. Yeah, I guess that’s why I’m writing in you right now. Maybe I am feeling a little better now that I got my thoughts down on paper but they’re kind of leaping off the page right now. Like they’re trying to hurt me because now I actually see them and realize that the past 10 hours wasn’t a cruel nightmare that I manifested. I really don’t know.

I’m going to go see my therapist tomorrow. I don’t know what to say to her but I have to say something. I don’t know what to really do at this point. I’m kinda lost.

I’m lost without her I guess. Now that I don’t have an objective or something to work towards. I really don’t know. Tomorrow just feels like another day of the same thing and I don’t know if I want to face that. Wait, I guess it’s technically today because it’s after 12:00.

Maybe I should stop trying. But I want to see what my therapist thinks first. Maybe she can help me. I don’t know. Hopefully.

8

9

It is estimated that one in five children and adolescents will face a significant mental health condition during their school years. Mental health issues are some of the largest health concerns among students, however, are often not properly addressed due to stigma. This piece, “School”, illustrates the issue of unprecedented student stress and mental health issues.

Hana Ito

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline healthcare workers have faced unparalleled challenges globally, while many of us remained in the safety of our homes. I used gouache paints and colored pencils to create this piece in acknowledgment of those hospital staff who have risked their physical and mental wellbeing for the sake of saving others’ lives.

Hana Ito

EDUCATION AND STRESS S

tress. That is a word that provokes innumerable connotations, and everyone can agree that it is something preferably avoided. Stress can cause the body to deteriorate, make humans more susceptible to disease, and can cause a person’s life to be miserable.

As such, we have depicted stress to be a terrible, cruel monster that plagues the psyche of the human race.

However, not all stress is a bad thing: it is the body’s reaction to an important situation, and it is actually meant to enhance functionality in that moment.

We can call this “good stress,” the kind of stress that helps humans perform better in the short -term; it is a form of motivation. It helps you perform better on tests, create better projects, and excel in competitive events. On the other end of the spectrum is “bad stress.” Bad stress can decrease concentration and performance, and lead to confusion and anxiety. It actually detracts from the ability of the human body to function properly and is ultimately harmful to humans’ health.

When bad stress becomes chronic, it can lead to a variety of very tangible health detriments: headaches, insomnia, weight gain, and high blood pressure. This kind

Writing: Joseph Barboriak Layout: Leo Sugino

14

of stress should be avoided at all costs, yet that is easier said than done since there are so many stressors present in everyday life.

In the context of education, school causes almost all students some level of stress, and often very high levels of it. Whether it’s grades, homework, projects, textbook readings, sports, clubs, or extracurricular activities, the education system has many factors that pile on obligations on students, often with tight deadlines. These things that are meant to drive students to become successful and find their passion can actually feel like an extreme burden. This doesn’t even account for the outside factors that could be causing students stress: their personal life, friendships, family, and other aspects of social life. School is not shortterm, lasting for 42 weeks every year, so all these different factors pile up, negatively impacting students’ health and decreasing their academic performance. The very stress that is produced by their bodies to help them turns into their worst enemy, making academic excellence difficult to achieve and ruining one’s quality of life.

The situation is especially bad now, with the omnipresent emphasis on doing well in school to get into a “good” college.

15

“

ALL WE HAVE TO DECIDE IS WHAT TO DO WITH THE TIME THAT IS GIVEN TO US.

J.R.R Tolkien

16

Pixabay, Tim Gouw, Pexel Element-Digital, Jared

d Rice, Markus Spiske

With admission rates at historically low levels, students feel extreme pressure to distinguish themselves and achieve high standards in all areas of the school.

Students end up taking on more than they can handle and either burn out or have a terrible time adhering to all the responsibilities they forced upon themselves. Stress has practically become an integral part of education.

Unfortunately, if schools were to entirely abandon anything that caused stress, there would be little incentive for students to learn, and education could grind to a halt— stress is an effective method of ensuring students learn what they need to. Although schools cannot directly remove stress, or control how hard a student wants to push themselves, they can enact measures to help alleviate the stress the education system cannot avoid causing. For instance, they can make information available on stressreduction methods. They can also reduce stress levels by establishing relaxing areas. Having sources of academic and social support are crucial, which many schools have adopted in the form of counselors. Schools can also reduce obstacles to students’ success, whether it be faulty printers, inefficient bus routes, or incongruous grading.

Together, these changes form a much better educational environment where

students can manage the stress they feel.

In the absence of institutional methods of stress reduction, there are many things students can do individually as well. Do not overload yourself with things, and be willing to say “no” to more work.

Don’t fret over the things in life you can’t control. Have a positive mindset instead of a negative one. Create a strong support network of friends and family to help you through tough times. Take time to relax during the day, whether that be meditation or just a few minutes of deep breathing. Very importantly, stay healthy and active—physical exercise can greatly reduce stress. Finally, getting enough sleep is a major factor in stress control and will keep you healthy. All of these things together can help reduce the feeling of stress, but the quickest way to entirely remove it is to eliminate stress factors. Having a high quality of life is a delicate balance between work and stress, a balance that is different for everyone, but striking that balance is the key to feeling stress-free.

17

Is embryonic stem cell treatment ethical?

Embryonic

stem

cell

treatment, first discovered by

scientists

Ernest

McCulloch and James Till, is a form of treatment that focuses

on

regenerative

treatment, which takes the stem cells from embryos (newly fertilized eggs) and gives them to ailing people.

The reason why stem cells are best when taken from embryos is because they can become any type of cell, unlike

adult

stem

cells,

which can only become a narrow variety of cells.

Ernest McCulloch + James Till

These embryos are taken from “in vitro fertilization clinics” that are about to discard the embryos as medical waste because the mother did not want to have them implanted. The main proponents for this type of therapy support this practice mainly because of its vast regenerative properties on organs and other body parts. The reason why stem cells are necessary for certain areas is that they cannot organically generate new cells at an adequate rate. On the contrary, the main opponents of this therapy raise ethical as well as safety concerns. For these reasons, embryonic stem cell therapy has been a hotly debated topic for many years.

Writing: Sam Hong, Nate Wilson Layout: Relli Kondo

18

POsitives Embryonic stem cell therapy is so heavily focused on primarily because it is one of the most effective methods in regenerating tissue. Cells that can regenerate tissue can be utilized because they can do a multitude of things such as “produce insulin to treat patients with diabetes,” “replace neurons damaged by Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury”, and “restore damaged organs or tissues,” according to orthopedic surgeon Kelechi Okoroha. The reason why embryonic stem cells are needed in particular is that they can generate any type of tissue, unlike most cells. For these reasons, embryonic stem cell therapy is backed by many, one of the most notable being the Michael J Fox foundation, a foundation designed for helping find treatments for Parkinson’s disease. With many backers of embryonic stem cell research and countless diseases that may be able to be cured, it may seem all positive; however, there are also many limitations that come with the good.

19

However...

Some of the negatives that embryonic

stem cell therapy presents are both its ethical and clinical risks. Those who advocate against stem cell therapy on an ethical level object to the process because it is destroying an embryo, which they believe is equivalent to harming innocent life. Scientists counter this belief, however, with the fact that these embryos will be destroyed either way and should therefore be used for the good of mankind. Another ethical dilemma with stem cell therapy is its cost. While on the surface this may not seem like an ethical issue, it becomes apparent when looking at other types of therapy. High cost likely means that only wealthy nations and people will receive these treatments. This will further the gap between rich and poor people and nations. Those who argue against the practice on a clinical level are afraid of the risks that it poses. One of the clinical objections scientists face is that stem cells can sometimes begin to divide uncontrollably and act similar to cancer cells. The other major clinical dilemma is their possible contamination with diseases, which may be transferred to the patient.

Overall, there are various risks associated with embryonic stem cell therapy that possible patients must take into account before undergoing this type of treatment.

In conclusion, although embryonic stem cell treatment has various benefits that may help a great number of people, there are also significant drawbacks to this specific type of treatment. For us, as a society, to truly benefit from this field of research and treatment, it is imperative that scientists and healthcare workers develop a balance between the helpful characteristics of embryonic stem cell treatment and the ethical and clinical drawbacks of the treatment method.

20

21

COVID-19: A Viral and Psychological Pandemic

T

he impact COVID-19 has had on people is clear. Millions of lives lost, countless infected, and many others indirectly affected as well. But what many people fail to realize is that this pandemic is more than just a viral pandemic; it is actually a mental health pandemic as well. The virus itself, along with the precautionary measures such as mask-wearing, social distancing, self-isolation, lockdown, and more, have changed the daily lives of everyone, and as restrictions ease and places open up again now, people are finding it extremely difficult to assimilate back into their pre-covid lives. Everyone has been affected mentally by the pandemic in one way or another. From kindergarteners not being able to interact fully with their friends to healthcare providers burning out after being overwhelmed due to the influx of coronavirus patients, this is clearly an ongoing issue that must be addressed.

Recently, a report from the OECD found that the prevalence of mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety have increased globally by over 200% due to the pandemic. In the UK, US, and France, depression and anxiety rates were directly correlated with the number of cases during this time. When cases went up and restrictions were

Writing: Tomo Ishikawa Layout: June Jeong

22

tightened, mental health issues increased, and when restrictions were lifted, mental health issues decreased.

What’s worrying for younger age groups are the risk factors for developing mental health issues.

Studies conducted during the pandemic show that younger people are more vulnerable to psychological distress because social interactions play a critical role in their growth. Data also reveals that younger women are more susceptible than younger men, and people with pre-diagnosed mental health issues saw their symptoms dramatically worsen. This is most likely due to the fear of infection, increase in isolation, and lack of social interaction as previously mentioned.

The data is clear. People’s mental well-being is being crushed by the coronavirus. But what is the government doing about it? What are we ourselves doing about it? What can we do about it?

The debate over government-enforced lockdowns is prevalent, especially in Europe and the US where there have been multiple instances of people protesting against protective measures put in place. These protestors believe that the vaccine alone is enough to go back to our normal lives. Whether that is true or not, the fact that some countries or cities are still under lockdown won’t change. We can’t change anything about that whether we agree or

disagree. What we can change is what we make of the lockdown, and how we can cope with the feelings of isolation, anxiety, and loneliness that come along with it.

There is no easy way to completely get rid of the negative feelings that come with a lockdown.

However, one of the easiest, yet most effective ways to cope is to simply talk to your family members or facetime your friends. At first, this may seem obvious, but it’s scientifically proven to have an immensely positive impact on one’s well-being. Laughter therapy is a type of experimental treatment given to those with clinical depression or anxiety. It involves having the patient interact with people in ways that make them laugh such as telling a joke or simply holding a conversation. When the patients laughed, their muscles relaxed, and stress hormone levels dropped significantly. Not only that, but the release of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin came near to levels found in non-depressed people.

We may not realize it, but laughter is extremely powerful.

So laughter therapy is an effective way of relieving those negative feelings during lockdown. But for the people that are already out of lockdown, and are finding it anxietyinducing or just difficult to go back to pre-covid lifestyles, you are not alone. Mental health is often disregarded, and even more so during this pandemic. However, it’s completely natural for people to feel hesitant or anxious after staying indoors and social distancing for over a year and a half. There’s no need to feel forced back into your pre-pandemic life just because all of your friends are. Taking things slowly is the best way to go about assimilating back, and reaching out to a therapist is always an option. These mental health professionals may be just what you need to get back and fully enjoy your life after the peak of the pandemic has passed.

So don’t be afraid to go at your own pace, or to reach out if you feel the need to. After a disastrous pandemic like COVID-19, it’s okay to take things one step at a time.

23

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, families have been separated from one another with no end in sight. Though digital platforms have allowed loved ones to stay in touch virtually, physical contact, which has proven to reduce stress and anxiety, has been limited. I created this piece using acrylic paint, graphite pencils, and colored pencils to convey the lack of touch between people amidst the pandemic.

Peyton Yamanaka

Public Spaces This piece, digital media, titled Public Spaces, was a contrast between a clean and unclean subway station.

Public spaces should be safe and hygienic for everyone, especially because there are so many people passing through them everyday.

Rachel Yoon

Urban Environment

Andre Benz

Affecting Health

We may not all remember the times before COVID-19. For most people, life before March of 2020 is a blur, and a majority of society finds it hard to believe that there was a time when not everyone had to wear a mask outside. For now, putting COVID aside for a bit, we need to acknowledge that there are a massive number of issues other than COVID that are harming our health. This all starts at where we are living; 48.3% of Korea’s population inhabits Seoul, the capital of South Korea. The detrimental effects of living in an urban environment like Seoul are not noticed enough because much of our focus is on COVID. Urban environments are the hotspots of where global environmental issues begin, whether it is global warming, pollution, or deforestation.

Many major companies are based in the cities because they try to attract the big crowds. Most factories are also built near cities or outskirts in order to facilitate the transportation of materials to companies. It is a blatant and visible fact that these companies and factories are the main driving force behind pollution and global warming. According to the World Health Organization, “urban air pollution—of which a significant proportion is generated by vehicles, as well as industry and energy production—is estimated to kill some 1.2 million people annually.” It can be clearly pinpointed that many people think that pollution will reduce over Writing: Lindsey Lim Layout: Kentaro Mathis

28

time and refuse to worry about it too much. However, especially for people living in an urban environment, pollution can significantly affect health as it “increases the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease and lung cancer.” Due to the big impact COVID has had on medical systems and care

all around the world, it is very crucial for each and every citizen to protect and take care of their health.

Non-environmental issues also come into play when analyzing the health defects of people living in urban areas. There are many nonenvironmental issues that can harm our health including road accidents, a decrease in physical activity, and competition which leads to pressure.

It was recorded that “road traffic accidents contribute a further 1.3 million deaths annually; low- and middle-income countries bear 90% of the death and injury toll.” As rapid industrialization progressed, the production of cars and vehicles like buses skyrocketed, and the combination of big crowds and many vehicles led to many accidents on the road. As cities provided all needs for everyone, whether it is a restaurant nearby or a supermarket right next door, physical activity has decreased.

Urbanization also came with the

negative effects also come along.

“When people feel insecure in their social environments, it can focus them on a hierarchical view of themselves and others, with a fear of rejection if they feel they have become too inferior or subordinate.” This may increase vulnerability to depression, anxiety, and stress, which is extremely defective for people’s health.

development of mass industries of cinema and media, which have prevented people from leaving their homes as they stayed inside to watch TV instead. “Physical inactivity is estimated to be responsible for some 3.2 million deaths globally every year, as a result of diseases such as heart ailments, cancer, and diabetes.” Along with these two problems in urban environments, due to the influx of companies in cities, there is also a fight for jobs. Although competition between people triggers the release of dopamine that results in a sense of pleasure,

Nick @byshark

Urbanization has brought us many supplementary sources for daily life, but it has also led us to many problems regarding our health.

Pollution and global warming have harmed our respiratory systems.

Competition has brought people to depression and anxiety. What is being done to help people who are affected by the urban environment? There are many organizations and systems being developed that are trying to change plastic manufacturing to eco-friendly materials to prevent pollution.

For mental health, counselors and mental health helpers are reaching out to those in need to talk through their problems. The hope is that these efforts will help people recover from the baneful effects of urban environments.

29

Medical Crisis

F

or centuries, the role of nations has been to serve their people above all else. Naturally, it would make little sense for the government of one state to prioritize the health and wellbeing of another.

But gone are the days of isolationism; with the rapid growth of globalization, countries are more interconnected.

Now more than ever, the affairs of an individual state affect those of its neighbors to a great extent. Nations’ responses to the spread of COVID-19, or the lack thereof, have spurred questions about, and perhaps changed, the role and obligations of governments to their people.

One such question is on mutual responsibility. Imagine that teacher A is responsible for distributing pizza to class A, and teacher B, class B. Teacher A has many stacks of pizza; so many, in fact, that teacher A is able to offer each student of class A a third slice. Teacher B, in contrast, only has enough pizza to serve a portion of their students. Would it be so strange for teacher A to begin distributing the third slice of pizza to students of class A? After all, teacher A is responsible for class A: class A is their priority. Those who find some issue with this scenario are those who question the extent to which teacher A must prioritize their own class. They may also be disturbed to discover that while the richest nations in the world have begun the distribution of a third COVID-19 immunization booster shot, as of October 23rd, 2021, only 3% of people in low-income countries have received their first.

The question of vaccine equity bean long before the initial distribution of COVID-19 vaccines; disparities in vaccine distribution are merely a result of pre-existing inequalities in wealth and access to health care.

Simply put, vaccines are costly. Beyond

Writing: Ryne Hisada Layout: Leo Sugino

30

the purchasing of the shots, poorer states also do not have the resources to adequately store and distribute the vaccines in an effective, or any, fashion. Even if the injections were to be distributed freely, the poorest countries of the world cannot afford the ultra-cold freezers required to store any of the vaccines. Vaccine equity cannot magically appear; wealthier nations will have to pay from their own pockets.

More than an issue of logistics, this is a philosophical dilemma. It’s a real-life “what if” situation, where human lives and state sovereignty are being weighed against each other.

As it stands, despite the attempts of developing nations to receive provisions through amendments in international law, richer nations, namely, the UK, the US, and the European Union, have been pushing back, allowing them to hold a larger share of vaccine manufacturing capabilities. One such rule to benefit developing countries is to have a temporary waiver on patents for vaccines. If passed, these struggling

“

It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has.

-Hippocrates

nations will not have to spend additional finances simply to secure rights to manufacture vaccines. Major pharmaceutical companies have lobbied in opposition to these waivers, claiming that it would “disincentivize” them from creating vaccines in the future. Some argue that reasoning such as this represents simple corruption, rather than a difference in philosophy.

It is not as though nations do not reap benefits from the inoculation of neighboring countries, however. A disease-ridden neighbor presents a dangerous border, and therefore a threat to the base country. If a wealthy nation such as the US wished to fully and optimally protect its citizens from COVID-19, some point in its course of action would be a grand funding program for vaccination in Mexico and Canada, its immediate neighbors. With increasing global interconnection, nations are no longer required to be immediate neighbors to pose health risks to one another. Though statistically unlikely, as a result of cheaper and accessible transportation, a single case of COVID-19 that originated in Australia can spread through the suburbs of Chicago in just a matter of weeks. Thus, as the vaccine equity proponents claim: no one is safe until everyone is.

Paula Bronstein and Ashkan Forouzani

31

Neglected Tropical Diseases Despite killing over 200,000 people every year, infecting more than 1.7 billion people, and putting an additional 2 billion people at risk, Neglected Tropical Diseases(NTDs) truly live up to their name by being neglected by the media. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has outlined 20 distinct NTDs, every single one of which causes years of suffering for the victims, disrupting entire communities in horrifying ways.

Sleeping Sickness, for example, also known as the human African trypanosomiasis, is a fatal disease that is first transmitted from a tsetse fly, which bites humans for survival.

Parasites called trypanosomes can be transmitted through these bites and enter the lymphatic system, where it fights the immune system, mutating and disguising itself within the body. However, the symptoms during this stage of the disease are sometimes so mild that most cases are not detected.

However, this stage is also the only stage where the disease is relatively easy to cure. Unfortunately, as in most cases of the disease, when the infection progresses to the next level, the trypanosomes enter the blood-brain barrier. When this happens, sleep patterns become erratic, and the victim is left confused and with other neurological issues such as extreme fatigue. Eventually, when the nervous system Writing: Paul Moon Layout: Leo Sugino

32

Marizeh Ghiasi

deteriorates, the victim falls into a coma, leading to death.

Diseases such as trypanosomiasis can cause horrifying and painful death, while other NTDs such as leprosy can cause both permanent physical and social handicaps such as the loss of limbs and isolation from society. Additionally, other NTDs such as Soil-Transmitted Helminths, which affects 1.5 billion people on its own, cause lifelong issues with malnutrition, as it competes with the host for nutrients and resources.

If such diseases are so prevalent and so horrifying, why are these diseases not on every newspaper headline? Why does it seem like the average person is unaware of even the existence of such diseases? It’s because these NTDs only affect the most vulnerable nations, rural areas cut off from the luxury of modern medicine and healthcare. According

Biodun Folarin

According to WHO estimates, the countries most affected by NTDs are mostly found in Africa, South America, and certain parts of Asia, which are also areas of low GDP per capita, poor industries, and unstable health infrastructure.

Most of the 20 NTDs already have known cures and remedies, but the people actually affected by such diseases have no realistic way of receiving the treatments, because in such rural areas, traveling to the nearest hospitals would entail a journey of hundreds of kilometers of perilous danger: a prospect that most aren’t willing to risk. To eliminate such diseases, which is part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, more developed countries need to help out nations that can not fend for themselves, and more awareness has to be spread.

33

The Value of

Sleep to Health

A

nything and everything for a good grade.” This is the common saying of many high school SIS students working hard to achieve their desired grades and goals. However, most SIS students are sleep-deprived; a recent survey done on high school students in SIS regarding the hours of sleep indicated that students only got an average of five hours of sleep, an inadequate amount. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the recommended hours of sleep for teens and young adults

“

Writing: Sahngwon Lee Layout: June Jeong, Alexis Choi

34

in the range of 13-18 years of age is 8-10 hours a day. Acknowledging this, it is clear that most students aren’t getting sufficient sleep considering their age. Therefore, it is essential that these students and people learn the importance of getting enough sleep, as there are valuable health benefits in doing so, and also as there are detrimental effects on health of not getting enough sleep to the point where it is unacceptable.

Getting enough sleep can provide a number of healthy benefits to people. First of all, sleep can improve and boost the immune system. Immune cells and proteins get the rest they need to fight off what comes their way, fighting off sicknesses and diseases that are detrimental to the body.

Additionally, obtaining sufficient sleep helps with the prevention of weight gain overall.

Getting enough sleep prevents obesity, as it decreases detrimental hormones that make people not feel full even if they ate much more than they usually could. Lastly, enough rest and sleep can strengthen the heart and prevent fatal heart diseases. There were many cases when sleep-deprived people passed away in their sleep because of sudden heart failures and heart attacks.

To prevent these effects and improve your health, sleep is crucial in life.

On the other hand, not getting sufficient sleep can force harmful health effects on people as a whole. First of all, not getting enough sleep can take a huge toll on mental health. The brain will fog, and one’s alertness and concentration will all

decrease as a whole because of the brain sending signals to the body’s receptors later than it usually does. Furthermore, obesity and diabetes are common problems that could definitely arise from lack of sleep. Sleep and the production of leptin are in correlation with each other: as sleep decreases, the body decreases the production of leptin, a hormone telling you that you are full. Instead, it produces more of the hormone ghrelin, which is a hormone that boosts appetite and hunger.

An article from the National Center for Biotechnology Information(NCBI) had a study conducted to analyze associations between sleep deprivation and obesity, and it found that adults who slept less than 5 hours compared with adults who slept 7-8 hours had increased risks of obesity by 40%. Last but not least, the possibility and risk of heart disease and high blood pressure is noticeably increased by the lack of sleep. As previously mentioned, illnesses and diseases related to the heart are one of the most, if not the most, deadly, which gives even more reason to why our sleep schedules should be kept in orderly fashion.

According to healthline.com, a trusted and top-ranked online health information site, people with healthy sleep patterns and people who get sufficient sleep have a 42% lower risk of heart failure compared to those who don’t get enough sleep overall.

So, was there an actual time when someone with a terrible sleep schedule fixed it and saw the benefits and improvements to his own life? Not surprisingly, an example is myself. As a high school student, I saw my sleep schedule continuously deteriorate by the day because of the load of work handed to me. Due to this, I started gaining a lot of weight, my concentration

in my classes was terrible, and I felt numerous instances where my heart hurt when I only ran for a short period of time in P.E class. After I researched about the harmful effects of the lack of sleep, and after I realized what I was getting myself and my health into, I fixed my schedule and improved my time management so that I could at least get 8 hours of sleep every night. Although there were some test days when I slept late, I started to get sufficient sleep, which greatly improved the state of my body and mind by fixing problems like excess weight gain. Considering all of this, the message isn’t that one should give up work to get sleep; instead, it’s that one should get sufficient sleep while getting all work done and managing time well, because the beneficial effects of it on health are undeniable.

35

This digital piece is called “Grief”.

Due to the pandemic, many people have been unfortunate enough to lose loved ones. Composition-wise, it is very simple, but it was purposeful in order to create a lonely atmosphere.

Rachel Yoon

Effects of Social Media This artwork was created using oil pastel and watercolor, emphasizing the negative effects of social media, and how harmful it can be to your mental health. Social media is the term for interactive technologies used all over the world, which is exactly why everyone should be aware of how draining and depressing it can be at times.

Vivienne Chung

Opinion:

Abortion is Immoral, Past a Fine Line Let us say that I have an egg. A chicken egg, to be specific, fertilized, and carrying a chick embryo.

If I were to take that egg and destroy it, animal rights advocate groups worldwide would look upon me in shock and rage. I would be called an animal killer: a psychopath with a desire for the wanton murder of innocent lives. And, rightfully so. People are routinely disgusted if one were to destroy a fertilized chicken egg for it contained a defenseless animal. Then, why do some advocate for the same wanton murder of innocent human lives?

Human abortion is justified by calling the act an exercise of “women’s right to control their own bodies.” Yet, a fetus is not part of another human being: it is an individual of itself, simply contained within another person. People consider the chicken embryo its own life, most likely because it is inside of a solid egg that a hen had laid.

But what is the difference between that and the human fetus then? Simply put, the only difference

Writing: Peter Mingunn Kim Adam Fagen Layout: Kentaro Mathis

40

is that the human fetus is enclosed within another human being, and this, according to prochoicers, is a perfectly reasonable justification for the murder of another human life.

That all being said, science and morality cannot be ignored when creating a complex stance on abortion. Why does it matter whether a life is enclosed within an inanimate egg or another being? Does one’s value matter less if one is to be born in different ways? Of course not. Life itself is sacred, no matter the state or delivery.

Other pro-choicers argue that abortion is moral because the act simply gets rid of a parasite that only feeds off of its host. TIn retrospect, that is a crude description, but indeed a true way to describe a fetus. A fetus depends on its host for continued life and growth. But, so do the elderly in hospice care. In cynical terms, aAn old man in a persistent vegetative state can be described as a parasite: constantly using up hospital resources, money, whilst not providing anything to society.

Yet, object to killing an oldan man just because Yet,many manywould would object to killing old man just he is sick and needs is no justification because he is sickhelp. andThere needs help.

There isfornoa double standard babies. standard for babies. justification forfor a double However, there are some difficult instances where an However, there are some instances early abortion perhaps is thedifficult best option for all where parties an early In abortion the best itoption involved. cases ofperhaps rape, foris example, would for be all parties involved. cases ofdisgusting, rape, for example, highly immoral, not toInmention to force a it would be highly nota child to mention woman to bear the childimmoral, of her rapist; that the woman did not plan afor, nor ever wanted. disgusting, to force woman to bear theHere, childthe of lesser evil would to the quickly eliminate theplan embryo her rapist; a childbethat woman did not for, before it wanted. develops,Here, which both be more nor ever thewould lesser bring evil would to closure and justice to the woman. Many pro-lifers quickly eliminate the embryo before it develops, acknowledge this necessity for the lesser evil and laws which would bring both more closure and justice that condone and support this difficult yet necessary to the woman.

Many acknowledge this procedure.

Polish lawspro-lifers on abortion, for example, necessity for the lesser condone state that abortions are toevil be and legallaws if thethat continuation and thisendangers difficult yet procedure. of thesupport pregnancy thenecessary life of a woman, or if the pregnancy wasabortion, a result offor a criminal act state (e.g. rape, Polish laws on example, that underage should perhaps abortionspregnancy, are to be incest). legal if Abortions the continuation of the also be considered at limits up to to eight weeks pregnancy endangers theoflife of six a woman, or if (six weeks being the time when fetuses gain a heartbeat, the pregnancy was a result of a criminal act (e.g. and eight weeks being the time when vital organs start rape, underage pregnancy, incest). Abortions forming). In all, abortion is a difficult issue, and there should perhaps also be considered at limits are indeed scenarios where accommodations haveof toup be to sixtotosolve eight weeksethical (six weeks made complex issues. being the time

when fetuses gain a heartbeat, and eight weeks

The most controversy regarding (at being the recent time when vital organs startabortion forming). least the United States) isissue the and Texasthere abortion In all,within abortion is a difficult are law, which bans abortion providers from performing indeed scenarios where accommodations have to abortions at six weeks of a woman’s pregnancy when be made to solve complex ethical issues. a fetus’ heartbeat is detectable while allowing for cases

Joe Tyson

for emergencies.

There are no otherabortion cases for Themedical most recent controversy regarding exceptions.

Notably,the thisUnited law alsoStates) allows for any private (at least within is the Texas citizen to law, sue abortion providers or anyone whofrom aids abortion which bans abortion providers a person receiving an abortion for performing illegal performing abortions at six weeks of a woman’s abortions. The largest flaw with this law is its method pregnancy when a fetus’ heartbeat is detectable of enforcement: allowing anonymous private citizens to while allowing for cases for medical emergencies. sue abortion providers or aiders for large sums of money Thereencourage are no other cases for exceptions. only “bounty hunting, ” increasingNotably, societal this lawand also allowsLaw for enforcement any private should citizenbetoatsue tension mistrust. the hands of professional lawanyone enforcerswho andaids legislators, not abortion providers or a person private citizens could be misinformed receiving an who abortion forpotentially performing illegal or motivatedThe by malicious intent.

Thethis other in abortions. largest flaw with lawflaws is its this law regard the limited amount of exceptions that method of enforcement: allowing anonymous it provides for abortions. Rape and incest are not private citizens to sue abortion providers or sanctioned exceptions for abortion, which could result aiders formental large sums money only encourage in massive distressofand pain for those who have “bounty hunting, ” increasing societal tension to bear children in these horrible circumstances.

and mistrust. Law enforcement should be at

Concluding, abortion is an law issue enforcers that must not be the hands while of professional and taken lightly, considering any solution legislators, not privatethatcitizens whoregarding could it involve innocent lives, conversation between bewill potentially misinformed or motivated by both sides of the argument on abortion’s morality malicious intent. The other flaws in this law must occur for the most ethical solutions to arise. A regard the limited amount of exceptions that it complete ban on abortion the point of not considering provides and incest are not the currentfor livesabortions. of pregnantRape women is counter-intuitive sanctioned exceptions for abortion, which and contradictory to the fight for preserving life,could while in massive distress and pain aresult complete allowancemental of education is ignorant of for the lives those unborn andchildren allows society to horrible fall into thoseofwho have to bear in these irresponsible vices with no punishment. circumstances.

41

HEALTH & WEALTH

I

be yellin’ out,” “Money over everything,” “Money on my mind” said Drake, a popular Toronto popstar, on his track, Headlines. In the status quo, where people are living a fast life for material success, is money really over everything? Is money on everyone’s minds? Foot on the gas when the light turns yellow just to not be late to work. Skipping meals just to get more work done. Glued to a chair for dozens of hours staring blank at a computer screen just to look better to the boss. Non-existent social life and lack of sleep just for a promotion. If people are willing to sacrifice their health for it, it does indeed seem as if the new slogan is “Money First” instead of “Safety First.”

Money has become an indicator of education, inf luence, and ultimately, social status in the current society. However, can the money earned by sacrificing health buy the health that was lost?

The ancient Greek physician Herophilus once said, “When health is absent ... wealth becomes use- less.”

“

Writing: Eric Cho Layout: June Jeong, Alexis Choi

42

This is true as there is no purpose of being rich if you are dead. So, to what degree can money buy health?

Most people sacrificing health for wealth believe that wealth can buy health back. Money can buy health insurance, medical fees, medicine, doctor visits, and a variety of different treatments and surgeries. However, can all these things solve all health problems? Can health insurance and doctor visits fix the stage four cancer that was caused by the years of smoking that was used to relieve stress while working? Can medicine and surgeries change how stiff and rigid your body is so that you can play catch ball with your grandchildren? Money will never be enough to fully buy back the health that was sacrificed.

Still, money has a strong correlation to one’s health. Children raised in affluent families have a longer life expectancy and overall health when grown up. Reasons range from their access to regular health checkups to their ability to afford high quality, nutritious food. Money also brings healthier living conditions and provides health care. According to research done

by Virginia Commonwealth University Center on Society and Health for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Health Officials Committee, life expectancy increases as income increases. Furthermore, increase in income decreases the risk of chronic illness and allows access to resources for longevity.

Another research has found that mental stress decreases when there is financial stability and security. An area of health where there is a big divide between the rich and the poor are the number of healthy years after retirement. This is an effect of the basics of healthy lifestyles that include a healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and little stress.

The impact of wealth on

health is very evident, but does health have an effect on wealth? Many people say health is the most profitable investment. For example, Lebron James, a Los Angeles Lakers player, is reported to spend 1.5 million dollars on his body every year. Although this is an extreme case, the investment has paid off to his longevity. It is currently his 19th year in the NBA and it is one of the longest for any current player. Just like how athletes invest in their health to expand the years that they can work, non-athletes can do the same.

There is a strange correlation that healthy people generally earn more money than less healthy people. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, “Healthy people accumulate more wealth over time and earn more money: They make about 28% more than unhealthy people over their lifetime.”

The earnings of healthy and unhealthy people have a stark difference. 28% in lifetime earning is a big difference in standard of living. Furthermore, research shows that “The average healthy 65-year-old with high school degree has $230,000 in wealth compared to $120,000 for an unhealthy 65-year-old with a high school degree.” A healthy retired person would have twice the amount that an unhealthy retired person would have. The research points to many different factors that may have led to this statistic. One of the factors was participation in workplaces. The research showed that when healthy, workers participated 90%, whereas, when unhealthy, workers participated 70% of the time. There are other factors that influence how the health of an individual impacts wealth such as productivity, medical fees, lower propensity to save, and etc.

Healthcare is one of the biggest factors of wealth in this era, especially for elderlies. Financial services firm Fidelity Investments says that the U.S. An American couple retiring in 2017 should expect $275,000 in health care costs through retirement. However, treating illnesses are very expensive and may take up a lot of that saved money. For example, 47%

of breast cancer patients reportedly used their retirement accounts to pay for treatment.

Meanwhile, 21% of Americans are not saving any of their income and only 25% of those who do save more than 10% of how much they actually make.

Although Drake is rapping about how money is over everything. He knows that wealth is deeply correlated with health. He spends a lot of money on health as well to keep the cycle of health and wealth going. Drake spends money on his personal trainer as he routinely works out in the gym. He keeps himself fit so that he can earn more money. The perpetual cycle of health and wealth is the key to living a long healthy wealthy life.

43

Student-athletes and their mental health Being a student comes with many challenges—pressure to be at the top of your class, pressure to be productive, pressure to have a healthy and balanced life. Now add to that pressure to perform well in a sport, pressure to be at the top of your game, pressure to balance not only social and academic life but also extracurricular life. These conditions are what student-athletes live under every day.

With all this pressure, it’s inevitable that student-athletes face serious issues.

In fact, one in three collegiate level athletes, as well as one in three high school student-athletes suffer from mental health disorders. Competitive sports are becoming a huge problem in our society today, bringing about a health epidemic, yet the problem is much more complex than that.

Sports have always been a type of recreational activity that provides an escape from the stressful reality people face. Yet, sports are causing harm to many that indulge in it. When a “bad fit between the coach and the player, or between parents and coaches” exists, the sport tends to cause more stress than relief to the athlete. A sports psychologist reported that over the last 10 to 15 years, “incidence of anxiety and depression among scholastic athletes have increased,” alluding to the fact that more and more “bad fits” are being formed. Moreover, due to these stressful situations, athletes lose their enjoyment in the sport. Nevertheless, they stay in the sport due to pressure, leading to even more stressful situations.

Writing: Koharu Matsuki Layout: Irene Nam

44

Danny Kelly

Courtney Glashow

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the issue has been exacerbated. Many athletes have lost their place of stress relief and are seeing it’s devastating effects through mental health issues such as anxiety attacks. According to a recent study done by Timothy McGuine, a scientist from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, due to a loss of sports, 68% of high school athletes reported depressive symptoms and 65% reported anxiety symptoms.

The biggest concern with this problem, though, is the fact that there’s a ____ stigma around mental health in students, particularly athletes.

Alison Malmon, the founder of a nonprofit organization, Active Minds, working to raise awareness for mental health, notes that mental health in high school students is “often … seen as just teenage angst or something [they’ll] grow out of ”. Due to this, student-athletes struggling with mental health issues find it hard to speak out about their experiences to others and have trouble finding adequate support.

Professional programs to support such students are rising rapidly. Perhaps most famous and established is the sports psychology field. As pressure on athletes to perform well increase, the demand for the field grows with it. In 2018, 28.3% of athletic departments across 120 universities in the United States offered sports psychology services to their athletes. Although definitely being utilized by more institutions, the reality is that “not many programs”, especially high schools, “employ full-time or even parttime licensed psychologists”, instead depending

on coaches and “campus resources such as student counseling centers to refer for mental health issues”. The problem with this is that these centers usually do not have psychologists trained to treat student-athletes, again, contributing to the limited help student-athletes have access to.

So what’s more important is the destigmatization of the issue. The pandemic has definitely helped to start such a trend. An American high schooler hit heavily by the pandemic found that “people are a lot more open about the subject because there are so many people struggling with the same issues I have … [and] I’ve noticed it come up more openly and comfortably in conversation”. Although it, inevitably, sounds cliché, this issue really does come down to how society perceives it. As long as mental health is viewed as second to physical health, those struggling will not be able to reach out for the help they need, worsening their situation. As a society, we need to become more understanding of mental health and dismantle the taboo. Afterall, mental health is no different from any other illness.

K. C. Alfred

45

Stress and Depression This artwork was created using pencil, pen, and oil pastel colors, emphasizing the outlook of stress and depression.

Stress and depression are common among all ages, especially teenagers, and I wanted to emphasize this by showing it in an artwork where a young girl is drowning in her own fears and thoughts.

Vivienne Chung

Thank you for taking your time and reading our literary magazine.

For those of us who have stayed at this club and designed the layout of the magazine, we are proud of the time and effort put into this project and hope that the genuine work of our members made your experience reading the texts a bit more enjoyable.

Taking a look back at previous issues, we’ve come a long way, now finally collating a somewhat wellrounded piece.

You, the reader, has fully realized the work we have put into making this issue. Thank you.

Humanite Layout Team, Humanite Team