The Real Health Risk? Legislators
While many of us often view health risks in terms of physical ailments, environmental factors, or social conditions, this crochet square emphasizes the overlooked but crucial reality: the role of lawmakers in perpetuating health disparities. Across the United States, health inequities continue to be a widespread issue—one that many of our elected officials seem to ignore or exacerbate through inadequate policies, restrictive laws, and inaction.
It’s not just that legislators fail to address health disparities—they often get too involved in the wrong aspects of healthcare altogether. Instead of focusing on policies that improve access, affordability, and outcomes, many lawmakers seem more concerned with dictating who can and cannot receive certain medical treatments, putting unnecessary barriers in place, and reducing crucial funding for health research. From attempts to restrict access to abortion and gender-affirming care to proposing legislation that limits who can receive medical treatment based on arbitrary rules or biases, lawmakers often interfere with the doctor-patient relationship in ways that harm rather than help. Their actions not only limit individual autonomy, but they also contribute to an overall culture of fear and uncertainty within the healthcare system. These actions are especially damaging for marginalized communities who already face significant barriers to quality care.
Their actions not only limit individual autonomy, but they also contribute to an overall culture of fear and uncertainty within the healthcare system.
Health disparities in the U.S. are not new. However, the persistence of these gaps, especially in today’s legislative climate, speaks volumes about how much work remains to be done. Vulnerable groups in our society—minorities, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and one of my own community of adoptees—are disproportionately affected by these disparities. And yet, too often, their concerns are dismissed or undercut by lawmakers who either fail to act or, worse, actively contribute to their marginalization.
One of the most pressing issues that lawmakers have actively worked against in recent years is women’s health. From attempts to restrict access to abortion services to rolling back birth control access, women’s health has become a political battleground. For instance, the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade has brought the issue of reproductive rights front and center, with many states now enforcing stricter abortion laws—putting the health and autonomy of millions of women at risk. Despite widespread public support for accessible reproductive care, legislators in certain areas continue to push policies that disproportionately affect women’s health.
Moreover, issues like the gender pay gap, insufficient paid family leave, and a lack of access to adequate maternal care have not received the attention they deserve in legislative chambers. Women of color, particularly Black and Latina women, face even greater disparities, including higher rates of maternal mortality and unequal access to quality healthcare. In this context, legislators seem more focused on political games than on addressing the real needs of those they are meant to serve.
The health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals have also been under siege, with legislation targeting transgender rights, access to healthcare, and social services. Many states have passed laws that make it more difficult for transgender individuals to access the gender-affirming care they need. Legislation in some states restricts minors from receiving life-saving medical care, such as hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries, which can improve the quality of life for transgender youth.
The fight for equality within the healthcare system is compounded by stigmatization and discrimination that continues to marginalize LGBTQ+ communities. For instance, LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those who are transgender, often face higher rates of mental health issues, substance abuse, and suicide, but access to culturally competent healthcare is severely limited. Yet, lawmakers continue to advance policies that criminalize the very people they should be working to protect, worsening an already dire situation.
When it comes to minority communities—especially Black, Latino, and Indigenous populations—health disparities are a matter of life and death. These communities experience lower life expectancy rates, higher rates of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, and poorer access to healthcare services. The systemic racism embedded in many institutions, including healthcare, means that these communities are often the last to receive necessary care, or worse, are denied care altogether.
Take, for example, the COVID-19 pandemic. Minority communities were hit hardest by the virus, with higher infection rates and significantly higher mortality rates. Yet, even as these disparities became glaringly obvious, efforts to address them have been largely inadequate. In some cases, policymakers have ignored calls for expanded healthcare access, particularly in rural and underserved areas, leaving many without the resources they need to protect their health.
Perhaps one of the lesser-discussed groups in the conversation about health disparities are adoptees. Many view adoption as solely a beautiful and life-changing experience, but there is a much darker side that is consistently overlooked. Many adoptees struggle with a lack of access to their biological family’s health history, which can be critical for understanding hereditary health conditions.
In the United States, laws protecting adoptees' rights to access their birth records vary from state to state. In many cases, adoptees are denied critical health information about their biological parents, which can affect their ability to make informed healthcare decisions. The legal barriers around adoption records need to be addressed, as the lack of this information puts adoptees at risk for undiagnosed genetic conditions and diseases. On top of this issue, adoptees are also four times more likely to commit suicide and are also more likely to battle addiction, exacerbating the health disparities they already face from a lack of family medical history.
The ongoing health disparities in the United States are a direct result of political inaction and harmful legislative decisions. Rather than addressing the root causes of these inequalities, many legislators continue to introduce laws that actively harm marginalized communities. Whether through restricting reproductive rights, targeting the LGBTQ+ community, neglecting the needs of minority populations, or failing to protect the health rights of adoptees, lawmakers have become a significant obstacle to improving public health in America.
This crochet square, reminds us the politicians who choose to ignore or perpetuate systemic inequality are one of the greatest health risks to its citizens. Until lawmakers take responsibility and address these disparities with the urgency they deserve, our nation will continue to grapple with a healthcare system that leaves too many people behind.
This square serves as a historical marker of a time when we woke up to the reality that the greatest health risk of all was never a disease—it was the inaction of the very people entrusted with our well-being.
The pattern is available for free, or via pdf download with some color coding to make reading the pattern a slightly easier.
Material
2 contrasting yarns of the same or similar weights. (amount will vary dependent on weight)
Crochet hook, size recommended by yarn
Yarn Needle/Scissors
Gauge:
Gauge is not important for this project. I have made two - one in worsted weight with a 5mm crochet hook- this resulted in an approximately 12x12 inch square. The other was in DK weight yarn with a 4mm hook, and this resulted in an approximately 8x8 square.
Pattern notes:
This project is done using “Interlocking Crochet” techniques. This is two mesh squares of slightly different sizes, worked around each other simultaneously. The mesh is created by alternating between double crocheting and ch1 to create a grid, or “windows.” The foundation rows are the hardest, but I have tried to make mine relatively simple to follow. I have also included links to a few videos to get you past the hardest parts.
After the foundation rows, ch stitches will not be noted and will just be implied. There will always be a ch between every dc. Chs on the side of the work count as a dc throughout the pattern.
IF YOU ARE LEFT HANDED you will need to mirror the stitch counts in each row, beginning at the side stitches.
For example:
As written: SB, 2B, 6F, 16B, SB, CH 4, TURN
Left Handed: SB, 16B, 6F, 2B, SB, CH 4, TURN
Key:
CH - Chain
DC - Double Crochet
F- Double Crochet to the Front
B- Double Crochet to the Back
OS- Outside Stitch (Will always be with Color A)
SF- Side Front Stitch (Will always be color B)
SB- Side Back Stitch (Will always be in color B)
Foundation Rows:
Color A (The color of the linework):
ch 55, turn.
Row 1 – Right Side:
Dc in 5th ch from hook (counts as ch 1, dc, ch 1), *ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st* 25 times, ch 4. Do not turn. (27 dc, 26 “windows” made)
Color B (The color of the background):
Foundation chain: ch 53, turn.
Row 2 - Color B - Foundation row:
Hold chain in Color B in front of color A. Dc in 5th chain from hook through the back of second window by inserting hook through the back of the second window and picking up the chain through the front of the window. Bring chain loop through the window to the back of work and work DC like normal. Complete the stitch through the back of the window. *Ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc through next window* 23 times, dc in front of Color A in the last stitch . Ch 4, Turn. (26 dc, 25 windows made.)
Note: Your work is now “interlocked” and you will follow the pattern of filet crochet (dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc to end of row) from here forward. Dc’s and chains will not be indicated from this point forward as they are implied. The only thing that will change is if you crochet in front or back of the previous row in the opposite color. This is indicated in the rest of the pattern with F for front, and B for back. The number of dc’s in the front or back are before the F or B (ex. 3B = *1 dc, ch 1, sk 1* 3 times behind previous row). The wrong side is indicated by italics. You will always complete two rows before turning.
Row 3 - Wrong Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in back):
OS, 1B, 23F, 1B, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 4 - Wrong Side, Color B:
SB, 7B, 1F, 16B, SB, CH 4, TURN
Row 5 - Right Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in front):
OS, 1F, 15B, 1F, 7B, 1F, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 6 - Right Side, Color B:
SF, 2F, 1B, 3F, 1B, 3F, 1B, 2F, 1B, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 3F, SF, CH 4, TURN
Row 7 - Wrong Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in back):
OS, 1B, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 1F, 3B, 1F, 5B, 1F, 3B, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 8 - Wrong Side, Color B:
SB, 5B, 1F, 4B, 1F, 2B, 1F, 7B, 1F, 2B, SB, CH 4, TURN
Row 9 - Right Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in front):
OS, 1F, 2B, 1F, 1B, 3F, 1B, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 4F, 1B, 1F, 2B, 1F, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 10 - Right Side, Color B:
SF, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 2F, 1B, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 5F, SF, CH 4, TURN
Row 11 - Wrong Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in back):
OS, 1B, 2F, 1B, 5F, 1B, 2F, 1B, 2F, 1B, 8F, 1B, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 12 - Wrong Side, Color B:
SB, 24B, SB, CH 4, TURN
Row 13 - Right Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in front):
OS, 1F, 23B, 1F, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 14 - Right Side, Color B:
SF, 12F, 1B, 11F, SF, CH 4, TURN
Row 15 - Wrong Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in back):
OS, 1B, 10F, 2B, 11F, 1B, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 16 - Wrong Side, Color B:
SB, 13B, 1F, 10B, SB, CH 4, TURN
Row 17 - Right Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in front):
OS, 1F, 9B, 4F, 10B, 1F, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 18 - Right Side, Color B:
SF, 14F, 1B, 9F, SF, CH 4, TURN
Row 19 - Wrong Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in back):
OS, 1B, 8F, 6B, 9F, 1B, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 20 - Wrong Side, Color B:
SB, 15B, 1F, 8B, SB, CH 4, TURN
Row 21 - Right Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in front):
OS, 1F, 7B, 8F, 8B, 1F, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 22 - Right Side, Color B:
SF, 16F, 1B, 7F, SF, CH 4, TURN
Row 23 - Wrong Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in back):
OS, 1B, 6F, 10B, 7F, 1B, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 24 - Wrong Side, Color B:
SB, 1B, 5F, 11B, 6F, 1B, SB, CH 4, TURN
Row 25 - Right Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in front):
OS, 1F, 6B, 12F, 5B, 1F, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 26 - Right Side, Color B:
SF, 24F, SF, CH 4, TURN
Row 27 - Wrong Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in back):
OS, 1B, 5F, 12B, 6F, 1B, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 28 - Wrong Side, Color B:
SB, 6B, 1F, 5B, 1F, 11B, SB, CH 4, TURN
Row 29 - Right Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in front):
OS, 1F, 6B, 4F, 2B, 4F, 7B, 1F, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 30 - Right Side, Color B:
SF, 7F, 1B, 5F, 1B, 10F, SF, CH 4, TURN
Row 31 - Wrong Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in back):
OS, 1B, 7F, 2B, 4F, 2B, 8F, 1B, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 32 - Wrong Side, Color B:
SB, 8B, 1F, 5B, 1F, 9B, SB, CH 4, TURN
Row 33 - Right Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in front):
OS, 1F, 23B, 1F, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 34 - Right Side, Color B:
SF, 6F, 1B, 10F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 4F, SF, CH 4, TURN
Row 35 - Wrong Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in back):
OS, 1B, 1F, 3B, 1F, 4B, 1F, 2B, 1F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 1F, 4B, 2F, 1B, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 36 - Wrong Side, Color B:
SB, 4B, 1F, 1B, 1F, 10B, 1F, 1B, 1F, 4B, SB, CH 4, TURN
Row 37 - Right Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in front):
OS, 1F, 4B, 1F, 1B, 1F, 2B, 1F, 1B, 2F, 1B, 3F, 1B, 4F, 1B, 1F, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 38 - Right Side, Color B:
SF, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 2F, 1B, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 2F, SF, CH 4, TURN
Row 39 - Wrong Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in back):
OS, 1B, 1F, 1B, 5F, 2B, 1F, 1B, 4F, 1B, 2F, 1B, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 40 - Wrong Side, Color B:
SB, 21B, 1F, 2B, SB, CH 4, TURN
Row 41 - Right Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in front):
OS, 1F, 23B, 1F, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 42 - Right Side, Color B:
SF, 6F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 4F, 1B, 10F, SF, CH 4, TURN
Row 43 - Wrong Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in back):
OS, 1B, 5F, 1B, 1F, 3B, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 1F, 3B, 4F, 1B, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 44 - Wrong Side, Color B:
SB, 10B, 1F, 4B, 1F, 1B, 1F, 6B, SB, CH 4, TURN
Row 45 - Right Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in front):
OS, 1F, 4B, 2F, 1B, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 4F, 1B, 1F, 5B, 1F, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 46 - Right Side, Color B:
SF, 6F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 2F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 8F, SF, CH 4, TURN
Row 47 - Wrong Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in back):
OS, 1B, 5F, 1B, 1F, 1B, 10F, 1B, 4F, 1B, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 48 - Wrong Side, Color B:
SB, 5B, 2F, 17B, SB, CH 4, TURN
Row 49 - Right Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in front):
OS, 1F, 23B, 1F, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Row 50 - Right Side, Color B:
SF, 24B, SF, CH 4, TURN
Row 51 - Wrong Side, Color A (Color B tail hanging in back):
OS, 25F, OS, CH 4, DO NOT TURN
Copyright © 2025 Hey Duke Designs
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Pattern by: Hey Duke Designs
