The United States, one of the wealthiest nations in history, has been evaluated for its performance in providing basic human rights, including healthcare, food security, and education. Recent assessments indicate that the U.S. scores approximately 80% of its potential in healthcare, largely due to the expansion of health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. However, the country has been criticized for its inadequate provision of dignified work and fair income, achieving only 27% of what could be expected given its wealth. This score is the lowest among member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
The right to food is another area where the U.S. falls short. It is estimated that if resources were allocated more efficiently, around 14.8 million women and 9.1 million men could have reliable access to healthy and nutritious food. Recent data shows a significant decline in food assistance, with over 3.4 million people losing access to food support between September 2025 and June 2026, exacerbated by cuts in legislative packages. In Arizona, for instance, enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has halved, resulting in more than 400,000 individuals losing benefits since July 2025.
The U.S. has been losing ground in terms of work and pay for the past 25 years, trailing behind countries like Japan and the United Kingdom, while still performing better than some peers such as Canada and Norway. The education system is also under scrutiny, as it is measured by both access to schooling and the quality of education, reflected in students' performance in standardized tests. Despite being a wealthy nation, the U.S. continues to struggle in meeting the basic needs of its population, raising concerns about the effectiveness of its policies and the commitment to promoting the general welfare of its citizens.
In conclusion, the findings highlight a significant gap between the wealth of the United States and the actual living conditions of its people. The country has a long way to go in fulfilling its foundational promise of promoting the general welfare, as evidenced by the ongoing challenges in health, food security, fair income, and education. The data suggests that improvements are necessary to ensure that all citizens can access the essentials for a decent life.
