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Submit an APA style research paper (including title and resource pages as 1 and 5) on the relief, aid, and/or nonprofit organization of your choice. Include the following in your paper: give a history of when the issue that your organization seeks to alleviate became a social problem. Provide both objective concerns (research data) and subjective concerns (documented stories or testimony) that qualify this issue as a social problem. Compare the four stages through which social problems have evolved (as described in Henslin Chapter 1) with how this organization has evolved and successfully addressed the social issue.

Paper For Above instruction

The evolution of social problems and the role of nonprofit organizations in addressing them is a vital aspect of understanding social change and societal intervention. For this research, I have selected the organization "Doctors Without Borders" (Médecins Sans Frontières), which plays a significant role in providing emergency medical aid in conflict zones and regions affected by disasters worldwide. This paper lays out the historical emergence of the health crises that prompted the organization's creation, explores the objective and subjective concerns validating these issues as social problems, and analyzes the evolution of the organization in response to these challenges through the lens of the four stages of social problem development as outlined by Henslin.

Historical Background and the Issue’s Emergence as a Social Problem

The recognition of health crises as social problems became evident during the aftermath of World War II, with the spread of infectious diseases and the devastation caused by war-torn regions highlighting the disparity in access to healthcare (Kleinman, 2010). The establishment of organizations like Doctors Without Borders in 1971 was a response to these crises, addressing urgent healthcare needs in regions where government-led services were unavailable or insufficient (MSF, 2021). The escalation of conflicts, resource shortages, and displacement significantly contributed to this issue becoming a recognized social problem—one that affects vulnerable populations globally.

Objective and Subjective Concerns Justifying the Social Problem

Objectively, research data consistently illustrate the scale and severity of medical crises in conflict and disaster zones. For example, the World Health Organization reports millions of preventable deaths annually caused by inadequate healthcare access (WHO, 2019). Additionally, epidemiological studies highlight outbreaks of diseases like cholera and measles in displaced populations, underscoring the systemic failure to address health emergencies (WHO, 2020).

Subjectively, testimonies from refugees and displaced persons reveal the harsh realities of neglected health needs. Survivor stories and doctor testimonies depict the suffering caused by broken healthcare systems, illustrated through narratives of lack of medical supplies, delayed treatments, and preventable deaths. These personal accounts humanize the statistical data, making the plight of affected populations evident and fostering public awareness and support for aid organizations.

The Four Stages of Social Problem Development and Organizational Evolution

Stage 1: Claim-Making

Initial recognition of healthcare crises was facilitated by media reports and testimonies from aid workers, bringing attention to neglected regions and urging aid efforts. Advocacy groups and NGOs began claiming that access to emergency healthcare is a fundamental human right.

Stage 2: Legitimization

International bodies, including the United Nations and WHO, officially recognized these health crises as global social issues. This legitimization prompted formal responses, including funding and strategic partnerships established by organizations like MSF.

Stage 3: Development of Alternative and Official Solutions

MSF and similar organizations developed mobile clinics and emergency medical teams, providing immediate relief while advocating for policy changes to improve healthcare infrastructure. Their efforts complemented official government responses.

Stage 4: Reorganization and Continued Advocacy

Over time, MSF adapted its strategies to evolving crises, expanding its reach and expertise. It also engaged in advocacy to influence policy, push for accountable responses, and address systemic issues underlying the social problem.

Conclusion

The history and response of Doctors Without Borders exemplify how a nonprofit organization can evolve through the stages of social problem development to address critical health issues. By combining objective data with personal testimonies, the organization has positioned itself as a vital actor in alleviating a long-standing social problem—health disparities in crisis zones. Understanding this evolution highlights the importance of sustained advocacy, adaptable strategies, and the power of documented stories in social change efforts.

References

• Kleinman, A. (2010). The medicalization of social problems. New England Journal of Medicine, 362(10), 887-888.
• MSF. (2021). About us: Our history and core values. Médecins Sans Frontières. https://www.msf.org/about-msf
• World Health Organization. (2019). Global health estimates 2019: Disease burden report. WHO.
• World Health Organization. (2020). Outbreaks and emergencies: Cholera outbreaks in displaced populations. WHO.
• Henslin, J. M. (2012). Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach. Pearson.
• Farmer, P. (2003). Pathologies of power: Health, human rights, and the new war on the poor. University of California Press.
• Scheper-Hughes, N., & Lock, M. (1987). The mindful body: A critical sociology of the body in medicine. Social Science & Medicine, 25(10), 1231-1241.
• Fadiman, A. (1997). The spirit catches you and you fall down: A Hmong child, her American doctors, and the collision of two cultures. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Saad, L., et al. (2018). Global health: Challenges and solutions in the 21st century. Journal of Global Health, 8(2), 020303.
• Roberts, B. (2008). Public health and the social determinants of health. Routledge.