No matter how reluctant we are to admit it, there are several problems that the government needs to address urgently. These problems include the budget deficit, climate change, and drug addiction.

Budget Deficit

Historically low-interest rates have sped up the accumulation of public debt. However, it needs to be clarified that lower rates will continue at current levels.

New Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projections show that the federal deficit will rise to over $11 trillion over the next 10 years, nearly double the level of the previous decade. While this is good for the economy, higher deficits increase the risk of a fiscal crisis.

Another benefit of the budget deficit is that it helps to cushion a recession. It also helps reduce the cost of borrowing. But, if the government cuts back on its spending, there is a risk that economic growth will slow. This can have lasting negative consequences for the United States economy.

The CBO predicts that the annual budget deficit will average over $1 trillion over the following ten years. This represents a sizable increase compared to the $585 billion recorded in 2016.

Professor of Practice Jason Furman at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government looked at four common objections to deficit spending in a report titled “Reducing the Federal Deficit.” These arguments, he thought, were exaggerated. As watchdogs, the media keeps an eye on government actions. They provide a forum for political expression and establish topics for debate in public. State and local governments have benefited from the work of media and research companies like E.Republic.

Drug Addiction

Despite a significant drop in the stigma surrounding drug use and addiction over the last few decades, significant societal obstacles remain preventing many from seeking treatment. Whether they choose to use illegal substances or not, drug addicts are disproportionately harmed by current government policies.

In particular, stigma and discrimination are barriers to getting the help and support they need. This is especially true for people in physically demanding occupations or those with a criminal background. In addition, those who want to get help for substance use lack access to guidance and guidelines.

The illicit drugs market accounts for PS10 billion a year. Its supply chain is exploitative and violent. The demand for drugs is fuelling a range of social problems. It also drives most crimes in the UK.

COVID-19 Pandemic

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, several states implemented targeted policies to address social needs associated with the disease. This approach focused on addressing inequities among historically marginalized populations. In Arizona, the state’s Medicaid agency partnered with the Maricopa County Department of Health and Human Services, community-based organizations, and the Homeless Management Information System to provide social services for homeless people.

The public health sector is crucial in planning and responding to pandemics. Its role is to conduct research, systematically analyze data, and determine the most effective control methods. The CDC prioritizes quality research and works to communicate findings and develop policy briefs for appropriate government action. The agency also focuses on strengthening community-based crisis risk management.

To effectively respond to future outbreaks, the public health sector must address critical health issues, including livelihood and health equity. It must also incorporate a welfare-based approach and work with the broader public policy framework. It must also consider the pandemic’s economic and sociocultural impact.

Climate Change

Unless we act quickly to reduce our emissions, the impacts of climate change will be catastrophic. We will continue to see floods, droughts, wildfires, and other extreme weather events. This will harm the lives of billions of people. In addition, climate change will affect crop yields in food-insecure regions.

Moreover, the failure to address climate change will pass costs onto future generations. As a result, urgent action is required to safeguard our health and the climate.

To do so, we must engage with people affected by climate change. We need to provide them with accurate information and allow them to participate in decisions about their futures.

The UN has called on all world leaders to meet in New York for the Climate Action Summit on September 23. Since the Paris Agreement was signed, this summit will be the most crucial intergovernmental climate crisis meeting. All countries will be asked to increase their national commitments to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius during the meeting.

Agriculture and Food Sector

Every night, nearly 690 million people go to bed hungry. High food prices and a cost-of-living crisis cause this crisis. It is likely to aggravate political instability and increase poverty. This is a grave threat to developing countries.

To address the global food crisis, governments must take intense policy action. The United States contributed $150 million to the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program, which supports smallholder farmers in the developing world. The White House recently announced a $140 million new food security funding program subject to Congressional notification.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank Group issued a joint statement on September 21 calling for governments to address the food and agricultural sector’s vulnerabilities. The joint statement highlighted the need for more robust, science-based policy measures to address food and agriculture issues, including trade, market intervention, and biosecurity.