"Call to Family, Community, and Participation," one of the primary Catholic Social Teachings, speaks to the importance of inclusiveness. Stating that "[all] people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable," the CST principle seeks to help bring together families and create community even in times of crisis. This provides a new perspective on the American healthcare system--one that emphasizes the well-being and healthiness of all, not just those who can afford it. Healthcare is not only obligated to simply help those who are sick. It ought to support families in their times of need, bringing them together rather than amplifying stress.
How Does our Current Healthcare System Uphold the Call to Family, Community, and Participation CST
Our current healthcare system, while it has several flaws with this CST, is able to strengthen the family connection by fostering a sense of family with healthcare professionals. Nurses and other healthcare professionals that have the most time spent with each patient often build a sense of rapport, utilizing humor and camaraderie to try to lift the patients' spirits. Procedures like rounds force doctors and interns to familiarize themselves with each patient's case individually, meeting with the patients and families multiple times to ensure that their physician is more than just an unknown figure. Even patients' rooms are designed to feel as "home-y" as possible in an obviously unfamiliar and frequently tense environment. Entertainment spaces in hospitals are provided, especially for younger children and long-term stays, when distraction is necessary and inevitable. Visitor policies allow patients to see friends and family. All of these policies and design options try to make hospitals build a sense of community for its patients, providing more than just healthcare.
How Does our Current Healthcare System Fail to Uphold the Call to Family, Community, and Participation CST However, our current healthcare system not only leaves some patients behind but destroys the family structure in some cases. The most prevalent example of this discussed in our seminar was the disparity in prenatal care for black women. The infant mortality rate for African Americans has always been remarkably higher than any other race, and the United States healthcare system has failed to compensate for this. Black infants are twice as likely to die as white infants, and black women are three to four times more likely to die from birth-related complications as white women (Why America's Black Mothers and Babies are in a Life-or-Death Crisis). The system simply does not build up families and communities. By not providing enough support for vulnerable groups in birth, our healthcare system has perpetuated a nationwide crisis for black mothers and black babies, evidently not upholding the family structure.
When our healthcare system fails to address one of the core tenets of CST, the Call to Family, Community, and Participation, we can be sure that a problem has arisen. Ignoring statistics and concrete evidence that suggest additional support is needed, the healthcare system has largely failed to address the problem.