Essential health care is a right, not a privilege ... or is it? On this week's show, TED speakers explore how we can give everyone access to a healthier way of life, despite who you are or where you live.

More than one billion people live in areas with no access to health workers. Physician Raj Panjabi started his group Last Mile Health to help bring care to the hardest to reach places.

How does race affect the medical attention you receive, your baby's chances of living, and your life expectancy? Mary Bassett says structural racism can impact every aspect of health.
For over a decade, Michael Hendryx's research has shown mountaintop removal is connected to cancer and other diseases in nearby towns. He says awareness is key for changing policy around the practice.

Circumstances like who we are and where we live can impact our health. But Rachel Wurzman says another critical factor is loneliness. She studies the connection between isolation and opioid addiction.