--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We went through substantial periods of…" description: "\"We went through substantial periods of being dependent on some type of government service, whether food stamps, WIC, Medicaid, children's health insura..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d86/leana-s-wen-5829_awareness_we-went-through-substantial-periods-of-b_1089098.jpg" --- # We went through substantial periods of being dependent on… ![“We went through substantial periods of being dependent on some type of government service, whether food stamps, WIC, Medicaid, children's health insurance. And I had an acute awareness as a child of what happens when people go without access to health care. I also had an acute awareness that…” quote by Leana S. Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d86/leana-s-wen-5829_awareness_we-went-through-substantial-periods-of-b_1089098.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d86/leana-s-wen-5829_awareness_we-went-through-substantial-periods-of-b_1089098.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d86/leana-s-wen-5829_awareness_we-went-through-substantial-periods-of-b_1089098.jpg) > “We went through substantial periods of being dependent on some type of government service, whether food stamps, WIC, Medicaid, children's health insurance. And I had an acute awareness as a child of what happens when people go without access to health care. I also had an acute awareness that people's lives were not valued the same.” [Leana S. Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leana-s-wen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early exposure to inequities in health care highlights how systemic dependence creates disparity and undervalues lives. **In simple terms:** Seeing health inequities early shows systemic bias. Key Takeaway Advocate for equitable health access. Themes health equity social justice systemic bias childhood awareness Mood concerned determined Type activist inspirational When to use this quote - policy debates - community health programs - personal advocacy work Key Concepts public policy social determinants of health advocacy Questions to Reflect On - How can individuals influence health policy? - What steps can reduce health disparities? 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