 |
|
Increase in severe poverty in the US has serious implications for public health
August 29, 2006Since 2000, Americans have been getting poorer, and national rates of severe poverty have climbed sharply, according to a study published in the October issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The researchers reported that the growth in the poverty rate is due largely to a rise in severe poverty and that "moderate" poverty has grown little.
The percentage of Americans living in severe poverty-earning less than half of the poverty threshold-grew by 20% between 2000 and 2004, and the proportion in higher income tiers fell. The researchers reported that the number of Americans living in severe poverty increased by 3.6 million between 2000 and 2004.
"These trends have disturbing implications for society and public health," said Steven H. Woolf, MD, MPH, Professor of Family Medicine, Epidemiology and Community Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, and lead author of the study. The researchers found that the only category of Americans to increase in size were those whose earnings were at least $8,000 below the poverty threshold, who grew by approximately 50% between 2000 and 2004. All other income tiers decreased during these years. The poverty threshold in 2004 for a family of four was $19,307.
"The rise in severe poverty is striking children the hardest," said Woolf. His study found that children under age 5 are twice as likely to be living in severe poverty as the rest of the population. "In 2004, one of three Americans with incomes less than 50% of the poverty threshold-5.6 million people-was a child." Severe poverty is also dramatically worse among African Americans and Hispanics, and minority children therefore face the greatest risk. The researchers reported that children account for 45% of Hispanic and African Americans living in severe poverty.
The authors discuss the broad societal implications of the increase in poverty. Likely health consequences include a higher prevalence of chronic illnesses, more frequent and severe disease complications, and increased demands and costs for healthcare services. Adverse effects on children carry long-term implications.
"This is not just a problem for the poor," Woolf added. "Except for a small class of highly affluent Americans, income for the entire U.S. population has fallen since 2000." The researchers describe a "sinkhole effect," in which "families and individuals in the middle and upper classes appear to be migrating to lower income tiers that bring them closer to the poverty threshold." U.S. household income, adjusted for inflation, fell by 3.6% between 2000 and 2004. Woolf says that the sinkhole effect and the upsurge in poverty could deeply affect society and calls for the reexamination of policies enacted in recent years to foster economic progress.
Elsevier Health Sciences
"The rise in severe poverty is striking children the hardest," said Woolf. His study found that children under age 5 are twice as likely to be living in severe poverty as the rest of the population. "In 2004, one of three Americans with incomes less than 50% of the poverty threshold-5.6 million people-was a child." Severe poverty is also dramatically worse among African Americans and Hispanics, and minority children therefore face the greatest risk. The researchers reported that children account for 45% of Hispanic and African Americans living in severe poverty.
The authors discuss the broad societal implications of the increase in poverty. Likely health consequences include a higher prevalence of chronic illnesses, more frequent and severe disease complications, and increased demands and costs for healthcare services. Adverse effects on children carry long-term implications.
"This is not just a problem for the poor," Woolf added. "Except for a small class of highly affluent Americans, income for the entire U.S. population has fallen since 2000." The researchers describe a "sinkhole effect," in which "families and individuals in the middle and upper classes appear to be migrating to lower income tiers that bring them closer to the poverty threshold." U.S. household income, adjusted for inflation, fell by 3.6% between 2000 and 2004. Woolf says that the sinkhole effect and the upsurge in poverty could deeply affect society and calls for the reexamination of policies enacted in recent years to foster economic progress.
Elsevier Health Sciences
Public Health Current Events and Public Health News RSSLet them eat snail
A nutritionist in Nigeria says that malnutrition and iron deficiency in schoolchildren could be reduced in her country by baking up snail pie.
Cigarettes Harbor Many Bacteria Harmful to Human Health
Cigarettes are "widely contaminated" with bacteria, including some known to cause disease in people, concludes a new international study conducted by a University of Maryland environmental health researcher and microbial ecologists at the Ecole Centrale de Lyon in France.
Therapy 32 times more cost effective at increasing happiness than money
Research by the University of Warwick and the University of Manchester finds that psychological therapy could be 32 times more cost effective at making you happy than simply obtaining more money.
Novel K-anonimity algorithm safeguards access to data
As electronic health records become more widely deployed, increasing amounts of health information are being collected. This data has many beneficial applications, such as research, public health, and health system planning.
Scientists Unravel Evolution of Highly Toxic Box Jellyfish
With thousands of stinging cells that can emit deadly venom from tentacles that can reach ten feet in length, the 50 or so species of box jellyfish have long been of interest to scientists and to the public. Yet little has been known about the evolution of this early branch in the animal tree of life.
Study raises concerns about outdoor second-hand smoke
Indoor smoking bans have forced smokers at bars and restaurants onto outdoor patios, but a new University of Georgia study in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that these outdoor smoking areas might be creating a new health hazard.
Research calls for better assessment of tests for tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria
A rapid and accurate diagnosis is the first step towards treatment in the fight against infectious disease.
Night Beat, Overtime and a Disrupted Sleep Pattern Can Harm Officers' Health
A police officer who works the night shift, typically from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., already is at a disadvantage when it comes to getting a good "night's" sleep.
'Cross-talk' mechanism contributes to colorectal cancer
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health have identified a molecular mechanism that allows two powerful signaling pathways to interact and begin a process leading to colorectal tumors.
New study links vitamin D deficiency to cardiovascular disease and death
While mothers have known that feeding their kids milk builds strong bones, a new study by researchers at the Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City suggests that Vitamin D contributes to a strong and healthy heart as well - and that inadequate levels of the vitamin may significantly increase a person's risk of stroke, heart disease, and death, even among people who've never had heart disease.
More Public Health Current Events and Public Health News Articles
 |
Public Health: What It Is and How It Works by Bernard J. Turnock (Author) Using a straightforward systems approach, Public Health: What It Is and How It Works explores the inner workings of the complex, modern U.S. public health system what it is, what it does, how it works, and why it is important. It covers the origins and development of the modern pubic health system; the relationship of public health to the overall health system; how the system is organized at the federal, state, and local levels; its core functions and how well these are currently being addressed; evidence-based practice and an approach to program planning and evaluation for public health interventions; public health activities such as epidemiological investigation, biomedical research, environmental assessment, policy development, and more. |
 |
Public Health: Career Choices That Make a Difference by Bernard J. Turnock (Author) Public Health: Career Choices That Make a Difference is the first book about public health workers, both current and future, and what they do. This book offers basic information for those considering a career in public health. This innovative title emphasizes key aspects of the work of different public health occupations and titles in order to provide an understanding of the tasks of public health jobs and careers. This book complements texts and courses on public health and is useful in both graduate and undergraduate programs. It also provides an introduction to career possibilities for individuals looking for a career in the health sector. |
 |
Introduction to Public Health, Second Edition by Mary Jane Schneider (Author), Henry Schneider (Illustrator) This thorough revision contains new chapters on bioterrorism and emergency preparedness. Further bioterrorism issues have been woven through relevant chapters. New additions in epidemiology include anthrax and SARS. Additions in women's health consider new developments in hormone replacement therapy. A new emphasis has been placed on planning to include natural disasters as well as terrorism. Introduction to Public Health, Second Edition covers the basic elements of public health as well as essential data and statistics. |
 |
Essentials of Public Health by Bernard J. Turnock (Author) As the second offering in Jones and Bartlett's new Essential Public Health Series, this comprehensive text is an excellent introduction to the field of public health. Combining the best elements of Dr. Turnock's two previous books, Essentials of Public Health offers the most up-to-date information on the field of public health. The first set of chapters introduce readers to the field of public health and how it works. It defines and describes the public health system, provides concepts and tools for measuring health in populations, characterizes the relationship of the public health system with medical care and other elements of the overall health system, and identifies government s unique contributions through federal, state, and local public health agencies. The second... |
 |
A History of Public Health by George Rosen (Author) Reprint of a 1958 classic public health text by Rosen, with a new introduction by Elizabeth Fee and a new biography of Rosen by Edward T. Mormon. DNLM: Rosen, George, 1910. |
 |
Betrayal of Trust: The Collapse of Global Public Health by Laurie Garrett (Author) In this meticulously researched and ultimately explosive new book by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the New York Times bestseller The Coming Plague, Laurie Garrett takes readers across the globe to reveal how a series of potential and present public health catastrophes form a terrifying portrait of real global disaster in the making. |
 |
Research in Public Health Directed By: Rex Barnett Studio: Victor Multimedia-05 Release Date: 09/18/2007 Run time: 43 minutes |
 |
Epidemiology for Public Health Practice by Robert Friis (Author), Thomas Sellers (Author) Epidemiologic speculations and research findings increasingly blaze across media headlines and heighten anxiety among the public. Understanding the foundations of such news can be daunting. Now in its third edition, Epidemiology for Public Health Practice has become a favorite textbook for undergraduate and graduate students new to epidemiology by providing a comprehensive look at all major topics, from study designs and descriptive epidemiology, to quantitative measures and terminology. Distinguishing itself from other texts with its accessible writing style and immediacy of information presented, the Third Edition has been extensively revised, with updated data and statistics essential to understanding the importance of epidemiology to public health. |
 |
International Public Health: Diseases, Programs, Systems and Policies by Michael H. Merson (Editor), Robert E. Black (Editor), Anne J., Ph.D. Mills (Editor) Previous Edition 0763728748 |
 |
Men's Health (1-year) by Rodale Inc A lifestyle magazine dedicated to showing men the practical and positive actions that make their lives better, with articles covering fitness, relationships, nutrition, careers, grooming, travel and health issues. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |