Dr. Niran Al-Agba

The Wheels of Justice: Why Our State Supreme Court Matters

While the US Senate grapples with Amy Coney Barretts’ confirmation hearings this week, voters would do well to turn their attention where their impact could be greatest. Our local judiciary rules on far more matters of importance to our daily lives. And for those of us mourning the loss of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, there is no better way to pay tribute to her legacy than by evaluating the qualifications of the Washington Supreme Court judicial candidates and exercising our right to vote.

Niran Al-Agba2020-11-15T21:41:29+00:00November 15, 2020|Categories: Equality, Policy|Tags: Dave Larson, Election2020, Equality, Grace Helen Whitener, Montoya-Lewis, SCOTUS, Serns, Social Justice, Supreme Court, Washington State|

A Fitting Replacement for Notorious RBG

As a woman, the loss of Ruth Bader Ginsburg feels overwhelmingly profound. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I often find myself searching for a ray of sun breaking through the clouds. As sunlight hits the waters of the Puget Sound, it brings a sense of anticipation for the future. A ray of hope can be found in Federal Judge Diane Humetewa, the first Native American woman and enrolled tribal member to serve as a federal judge in history. And she was one of RBG’s picks for the next nominee of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Niran Al-Agba2020-09-30T05:03:08+00:00September 30, 2020|Categories: Equality, Policy|Tags: Covid-19, Equality, Humetewa, Indian Law, Indiginous, Notorious, RBG, SCOTUS, Third Sovereign, Tribal Sovereignty|

A Tale of Two Pandemics: Obesity and COVID-19

The United States has one of the highest rates of obesity in the world. More than 40% of American adults are obese, which means they have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Almost 10% of American adults qualify as severely obese, defined as having a BMI of 40 or more. Of those with extreme obesity — defined as a BMI of 40 or more —the risk of death from COVID-19 is 17 times higher.

Niran Al-Agba2020-09-30T04:59:09+00:00September 30, 2020|Categories: Patient, Policy|Tags: Covid-19, Death, Equality, Obesity, Policy|

The COVID-19 Home Visit and Contact Tracing

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed weaknesses inherent in an underfunded public health system, a monopolized hospital, and a fractured medical supply chain.

Niran Al-Agba2020-09-30T04:55:37+00:00September 30, 2020|Categories: Patient, Physician, Practice|Tags: Community Strategy, Contact Tracing, Equality, Home Visit, Indian Health Service|

Tijuana’s Perilous “Waiting Room”

This past summer, I volunteered in Tijuana, Mexico at a clinic serving patients in the Migrant Protection Protocol program, or MPP. Also known as “Remain in Mexico,” MPP sends migrants who appear at official places of entry along the U.S. border seeking asylum, back to Mexico to await future immigration hearing dates.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-15T00:55:44+00:00October 30, 2019|Categories: Equality, Policy|Tags: Equality, Human Rights, Immigration, Inequality, Mexico, MPP, Racism|

Why Affordable Housing Matters in Health Care

Whether we recognize it or not, we’re in a housing affordability crisis. Over a third of households in the U.S., carry a shelter burden that is beyond the standard of affordability – that is, costs usurp more than 30% of monthly income. Locally, rents have increased by 50% over the last 5 years and more startling, the number of evictions has grown by 90% in the last 3 years.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-31T00:09:09+00:00November 13, 2018|Categories: Equality, Policy|Tags: ACE, Affordable Housing, Child Advocacy, Child Safety, Equality, Health Policy, Inequality, Poverty|