Articles tagged with Poverty
A study linked household survey data with New York state administrative records to better measure government transfers and their impact on reducing poverty. The analysis identified widespread underreporting of social welfare program payments, resulting in overstated poverty rates and ineffective policy decisions.
A study found that low-income children had atypical structural brain development and lower standardized test scores. Developmental lags in the frontal and temporal lobes may explain up to 20% of the achievement gap.
A study of over 150 poor women in southern India found that chronic constraints can spur entrepreneurial activity as long as periodic constraints are kept low. However, a barrage of periodic constraints can hinder entrepreneurial intention. Education can increase entrepreneurial self-efficacy and enable women to overcome temporary setb...
A new study by Brigham Young University researchers provides a rigorous estimate that about 10 percent of working households in the US are poor. Households led by women, minorities, or individuals with low education are more likely to be poor but still employed.
A recent study published in Hemodialysis International found that the association between poverty and kidney disease changes over time. Adults beginning dialysis are more likely to be living in a poor zip code, with rates increasing from 27.4% in 1995-2004 to 34% in 2005-2010.
A UK study found that 1.1 million children live with at least one smoker parent, and an additional 400,000 would be in poverty if tobacco expenditure is subtracted from household income. This highlights the financial burden of smoking on low-income families.
A nationwide analysis of COPD prevalence found that living in rural areas and poverty are significant risk factors for the disease. The study, which included over 87,000 participants, also found an association between biomass fuels and COPD in southern communities.
A six-country study evaluates the effectiveness of the 'Graduation model' in boosting livelihoods, income, and health of ultra-poor individuals. The approach, which includes training, asset provision, and savings accounts, shows significant improvements, even three years after implementation.
A study published in Science found that an anti-poverty program providing productive assets, job training, and life-skills coaching increased income by 5%, food consumption by 8%, and savings by 96% among participants over a three-year period. The results demonstrate sustained gains in well-being, with improved mental health and reduce...
A multifaceted program combining direct aid and training helps ultra-poor households accumulate assets and increase food consumption, with lasting impacts up to a year after the program ended.
A study found that nearly 80% of uninsured callers could schedule primary care visits, but the average cost was $160, which is unaffordable for many. Only 18% were told they could pay later, with a median payment plan of 61%. Expanding Medicaid would enable more people to afford basic healthcare.
Researchers at the University of Montreal found a complex link between feelings of being unsafe, poverty, and childhood obesity. Youth who experienced chronic poverty were more likely to be overweight despite higher levels of physical activity, suggesting a key role for feeling unsafe in perpetuating obesity.
A new study released in Science found that subsidies are essential for increasing the use of hygienic latrines in developing countries. The community-motivation model alone was ineffective, but combining it with subsidies expanded latrine coverage substantially, particularly among poor households.
Researchers found asthma rates to be similarly high in urban Detroit and rural Georgia, contrary to the widely held theory that city life poses a risk factor. Poverty was identified as a common underlying cause of both conditions.
A recent study published in SAGE Open suggests that poverty rates are a more significant factor than age in determining high rates of teen crime. The study analyzed over 54,000 homicide deaths in California and found that when teenagers' poverty levels are low, they have similar murder rates to older adults.
A large-scale study by University of Southampton researchers has found that the agricultural development of a region in eastern China is ecologically unsustainable, with losses of ecosystem services and declining water quality. The study suggests that economic development has created a trade-off between gains in agricultural productivi...
Research from WashU suggests that poverty and inactivity are linked to diabetes prevalence, but only in certain areas. Localized approaches can target the most common predictors of diabetes in each region.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that urban living is not a significant risk factor for asthma, instead highlighting the importance of poverty, African-American race, and Puerto Rican ethnicity as potent predictors. The research found no differences in asthma rates between children living in urban areas and their suburba...
Despite lingering issues of child obesity and poverty, the US sees significant advancements in safety, education, and stability for its kids. Test scores have risen, and more children are pursuing higher education and enrolling in preschools.
A study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that cognitive training can improve the brain performance of middle school students from poverty-stricken backgrounds. The program, called SMART, resulted in a 25% increase in gist reasoning and an 18% improvement in fact retention among students who received the training.
A new study reveals that suburban blacks and Hispanics live in poverty-stricken neighborhoods with lower test scores compared to their white and Asian counterparts. The research, part of the US2010 Project, highlights the persistent disparities in suburban segregation and unequal access to resources.
People living in communities with poorer mental health spend a quarter of the month in negative mood, while suburbs report fewest poor mental health days. Tighter knit communities and strong social connections lead to better wellbeing and happier residents.
A new analysis of Michigan's Medicaid expansion found that the state enrolled over 327,000 people in its first 100 days, beating projections. The program has also shown promise for reducing health disparities and improving health outcomes among low-income adults.
A study by American researchers found that low-income mothers who attribute their poverty to having children tend to suffer greater levels of depression due to feelings of guilt and helplessness. Those who blame problems in romantic relationships experience more anxiety, possibly due to a lack of control over domestic issues.
A study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison examines how attorney representation and limited legal assistance shape access to justice for low-income civil litigants. The research aims to inform policy and intervention strategies to address the 'justice gap' faced by three-quarters of unrepresented individuals in the US.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a methodology to measure a region's 'health' by balancing social and environmental factors. The tool helps identify critical limits beyond which regions risk ecological and social collapse, providing crucial data for decision-makers.
A new study found that poverty, not biased reporting, is the primary cause of racial and ethnic disparities in child abuse and neglect. States with more minority children living in poverty show greater differences in abuse and neglect rates.
A new study from Concordia University reveals that financial struggles significantly impact weight loss efforts, with lower-income individuals less likely to engage in healthy habits like exercise or reducing fat intake. Instead, they often turn to quick fixes like diet pills or skipping meals.
Working memory skills in children are linked strongly to reading and academic achievement. The study found that a child's ability to hold and work with information predicted success in all aspects of learning, regardless of IQ or socio-economic status.
Researchers found that health issues and relationship changes have a major effect on the economic well-being of low-income rural families. However, social support networks, usually extended family, can help mitigate hardship by providing emotional and financial support.
A new analysis found certain cancers are more concentrated in areas with high poverty, while others arise in wealthy regions. Areas with higher poverty have lower cancer incidence and higher mortality than those with lower poverty.
A new study from the University of Houston finds that childhood poverty contributes to higher obesity rates among young adult women, with repeated exposure during childhood increasing their risk. The study also highlights the importance of helping families escape poverty in improving their long-term health status.
Research by Robert A. Moffitt found that US welfare spending rose 74% since 1975, but aid to the neediest single parent families with low earnings decreased by 35%. Meanwhile, aid increased for those earning slightly more, while programs benefiting seniors and disabled individuals expanded.
A new study by Henry Ford Health System researchers found significant links between hospital readmission rates and social factors such as poverty level, marital status, and age. Patients living in high-poverty neighborhoods were 24% more likely to be readmitted, while married patients had lower readmission rates due to increased social...
Research shows that childhood poverty can lead to adult poor health through epigenetics and toxic stress. The American Academy of Pediatrics is working to address this issue through policy, education, and healthcare reform.
Researchers found that Cooperative Extension is a vital hub for community development efforts, providing resources and services to underserved communities. By partnering with local organizations and experts, Extension aims to address specific concerns and empower residents to influence their neighborhoods.
A new study suggests that global poverty figures could be underestimated by up to a third due to the use of an arbitrary 'dollar a day' poverty line. The research, conducted in Vanuatu, found that a more comprehensive picture of poverty takes into account basic human needs such as shelter, sanitation, and nutrition.
A new collaborative study by University of Wisconsin-Madison and Cornell University found that single mothers do not delay marriage to boost their tax credit. Instead, they focus on maximizing their refunds through tax filing status changes, such as claiming zero dependents.
Protected areas in Costa Rica reduce poverty by 16% through ecotourism and infrastructure changes. Increased tourism accounts for two-thirds of the reduction.
A new study from the University of British Columbia reveals that reconnecting low-income individuals with feelings of self-worth reduces stigma and improves cognitive function. Participants who engaged in oral self-affirmation techniques demonstrated a ten-point IQ increase and were more likely to seek aid services.
Researchers found that children from low-income families have less gray matter in the parietal and frontal regions of the brain by age 4. This can lead to behavioral, learning, and attention problems. Providing an enriched environment with normal interactions may help alleviate this issue.
A national survey conducted by Concordia University found that Canadians have varying opinions on the country's social welfare programs and Aboriginal self-governance. While a majority (65%) supports universal access to assistance programs, there is significant variation in prioritization, with families with children living in poverty ...
A new study finds that short-term depression therapy through weekly home visits can relieve symptoms in low-income minority mothers, even in the face of poverty and trauma. The intervention improved depressive symptoms for 8 months after treatment ended, with participants regaining a sense of hope and control over their lives.
Prime Minister Najib Razak emphasizes the need to address poverty and environmental concerns in a unified, people-centered agenda. Malaysia has achieved significant development milestones, but faces challenges like climate change and inequality.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that poverty in early childhood is associated with smaller brain volumes, including white matter, cortical gray matter, and hippocampal volume. The effects of poverty on brain development were also influenced by caregiving and stressful life events.
A new study at Washington University School of Medicine found that nurturing home life can offset negative brain changes in poor children. The research suggests teaching nurturing skills to parents can provide a lifetime benefit for their children.
International experts call for a broader definition of poverty to account for risks to the unborn child, which can have devastating consequences. The World Health Organisation estimates that 200 million conceptions occur annually, mostly in disadvantaged areas, posing significant risks during pregnancy.
Research finds that growing up poor and stressed can affect an adult's ability to regulate emotions, with lower family incomes at age 9 associated with greater activity in the amygdala and less activity in the prefrontal cortex. This dysfunction is linked to mood disorders like depression and anxiety.
A study published in the American Journal of Community Psychology found that economic hardship and financial strain exacerbate depressive symptoms among poor mothers, even with support from family and friends. Marital status did not significantly alleviate these symptoms.
A Dartmouth study reveals that rural low-income children score lower on visual working memory tests, while urban counterparts perform slightly better. The research highlights a gap between verbal and visual working memories of children living in rural poverty.
A Rutgers University study finds that the number of children in immigrant families is not the primary reason for child poverty in the US. Instead, local labor market conditions and parental education are major contributors. The study suggests that media coverage on immigration's impact on child poverty overstates the issue.
A new study shows significant health benefits for uninsured people living in suburban areas when they receive access to primary care. After one year, participants reported improved preventive care and screenings, as well as better overall health status.
Researcher Sendhil Mullainathan discovers that poverty's financial constraints can lead to significant cognitive deficits, affecting IQ and impulse control. The 'cognitive tax' caused by poverty can result in reduced adherence to medication regimens, among other behaviors.
Research suggests that poverty can impair cognitive functioning, leading to poor decision-making and perpetuating financial struggles. The study found that individuals with pressing financial concerns exhibit a significant drop in cognitive function, similar to a 13-point dip in IQ.
A study by researchers at Princeton University found that poverty can impair cognitive function, making it difficult for individuals to focus on tasks unrelated to financial concerns. This impairment can lead to poor decision-making and increased mistakes in other areas of life.
Research by University of Missouri sociologists found that cities with high racial economic inequality and widespread poverty tend to increase their police forces. The study suggests that the perception of threat is influenced by a combination of large inequalities and severe poverty, leading city governments to boost police force size.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that children from low-income backgrounds are more likely to smoke cigarettes and less likely to binge drink as adolescents. Economic strains in early life erode self-control, leading to substance use, while positive parenting mitigates this effect.
New research shows that literacy is a stronger predictor of poor public health than low average income in India. A high literacy rate enables populations to access healthcare and engage with public health programs.
Research suggests that living in a poor neighborhood as an adolescent increases the risk of getting chlamydia in young adulthood. A study published in Journal of Urban Health found that children who grew up in disadvantaged areas had a higher risk of contracting the bacterial infection, even if they didn't experience other risk factors.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is calling for a national agenda to address the issue of childhood poverty, which affects 22% of US children. Childhood poverty has severe consequences on child health, including increased infant mortality, chronic diseases, and poor nutrition.