Articles tagged with Poverty
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
A study maps H7N9 risk in eastern China by analyzing bird migration patterns and poultry distribution. The model predicts future infection risks across central and western China, aiding surveillance and control of H7N9 infections.
Three Ben-Gurion University students present research projects focused on water conservation and renewable energy, addressing global challenges in education, energy, climate change, and poverty. Their initiatives aim to develop inexpensive technology for harvesting drinking water from the atmosphere and promote solar energy awareness.
A study by Cornell University and National Employment Law Project found that poor children who move three or more times before age 5 experience more attention problems, anxiousness, depression, aggressiveness, or hyperactivity.
The International Council for Science recommends six new Sustainable Development Goals that integrate planetary stability with poverty eradication. The goals aim to alleviate poverty while protecting the Earth's life support system, which is facing increasing threats from climate change and environmental degradation.
A large US study has found that living in high-poverty areas or being uninsured significantly increase the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer at a later stage. The study's findings highlight the importance of addressing health insurance coverage and poverty levels as key predictors of late-stage breast cancer diagnosis.
A new report estimates that sequestration will lead to a $120 million funding loss for community health centers, resulting in 900,000 fewer patients served and 3 million fewer visits. The impact will disproportionately affect the poorest Americans, children, young families, and members of ethnic and racial minority groups.
Research reveals that infants with high respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) are more vulnerable to poor caregiving and exhibit increased problem behaviors later in childhood. Conversely, those with low RSA fare better in nurturing environments.
Researchers found that Mound A at Poverty Point was constructed in under 90 days, requiring an estimated 9,000 laborers. The site's unique soil composition and lack of erosion during construction support this rapid build timeline.
A 12-year analysis of Mexican banking data shows that cities and villages with higher credit-to-savings ratios have better quality of life and more educated citizens. The data also reveal that non-banking institutions play a crucial role in rural areas, offering financial services to populations with lower education levels.
A Penn State researcher examined a low-income community project that provided WiFi and computer training, finding technology alone cannot address underlying issues. The study highlights the need for political action over reliance on tech to solve poverty problems like low wages and childcare access.
A new study reveals that improving water supplies in rural African villages can lead to higher birth rates, larger family sizes, and increased household shortages. As a result, young adults are more likely to migrate to cities, exacerbating poverty and urbanization issues.
A recent study published in Journal of Pediatric Health Care found a strong correlation between childhood obesity and dental cavities among homeless children. Researchers analyzed data from 157 children aged 2-17 years old at an urban homeless shelter, revealing that as body mass index increased with age, so did cavity counts.
A new study by MIT and Northwestern economists reveals that kinship networks are crucial for accessing credit, smoothing consumption, and financing large investments. The research suggests that indirect access to banks is as effective as a direct connection, highlighting the importance of social safety nets in reducing financial vulner...
Researchers found that adding fruits and vegetables can reduce metabolic acidosis and preserve kidney function in CKD patients. Poor dietary habits and poverty are also linked to an increased risk of kidney disease, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address disparities in care.
Research by CDC reveals disparities in COPD mortality by state, poverty level, and urban vs. rural location, with poorest outcomes seen in rural and poor communities. Smoking prevalence, air quality, and access to healthcare are key contributing factors to these disparities.
A bi-national study reveals significant increases in social problems, rule breaking, and aggressive behavior among children living in poverty on the US-Mexico border. The study highlights the need to address mental health concerns to prevent long-term devastating effects on families, communities, and individuals.
A University of British Columbia study reveals that childhood poverty and stress as an adult leave imprints on genes and predict future immune responses. The research found correlations between DNA methylation patterns and early life experiences.
Grandmothers Against Poverty and AIDS (GAPA) empowers grandmothers caring for HIV/AIDS-affected families with peer support, income-generating activities. Studies show GAPA members experience higher self-esteem and reduced poverty, stigma in their community.
A new study by University of Chicago and University of Michigan researchers found that the 1996 welfare reform may have made life harder for the very poor, who face multiple barriers to work. The research shows a significant decline in cash assistance for deeply poor families with children, while near poor families receive increased aid.
A hybrid chicken known as the Kuroiler is being introduced in rural Uganda to improve productivity and provide economic benefits to local families. The project aims to increase returns from family flocks and reduce poverty among hundreds of thousands of households.
A study found that distressing life events and poverty are significant factors behind many abortions in the US. Nearly half of women who used contraception at the time of pregnancy reported disruptions from these events affecting their contraceptive use.
New research warns that Asia cannot achieve its climate and poverty reduction goals unless women's rights to forest and land resources are recognized. Women continue to be marginalized and excluded from decision-making processes in resource management, leading to environmental degradation and food insecurity.
A Rutgers University study suggests that poor mothers are more likely to be classified with generalized anxiety disorder due to poverty rather than mental illness. The research found no evidence of a link between anxiety and parenting stress in these mothers.
A major study by economists Joseph P. Kaboski and Robert M. Townsend found that a large microfinance program in Thailand increased wages by approximately 7% in villages that received funding. The authors argue that the wage impacts may be due to more efficient distribution of capital, benefiting labor demand.
Kaboski and Townsend's paper, published in Econometrica, used data from the Townsend Thai Data project to evaluate the impact of a large-scale microfinance initiative. The authors' work provides important insights into development policy, highlighting the benefits and challenges of such programs.
A new study published in Psychological Science reveals that social-class discrimination can contribute to poorer health in teenagers. The study found that perceived discrimination is a significant factor in explaining the negative influence of poverty on health, with stress and negative stereotypes playing key roles.
Researchers analyzed data from the 2000 census, finding that poor other-race neighbors disproportionately contribute to neighborhood poverty, especially among blacks and Hispanics. Concentrated poverty is attributed to three segregations: racial, poverty-status within race, and segregation from high-income members of other groups.
Infant mortality rates remain high in Appalachia, with white infants facing disproportionately higher deaths compared to non-Appalachian regions. Poverty and limited access to physicians contribute to the deficit, emphasizing the need for improved prenatal care and healthcare policies.
A new European Union-funded project at the University of Leicester will analyze the growth in tours of urban poverty areas, also known as slums, favelas or townships. The study aims to determine whether slum tourism can help tackle global inequalities and injustices.
Research shows that higher education significantly reduces the negative influence of community poverty and adversity on young adults' income, assets, and job quality. Education acts as a buffer, substantially mitigating the long-term effects of early life experiences.
Robert M. Townsend, a prominent development economist at MIT, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences. He is recognized for his outstanding contributions to understanding financial systems and their impact on developing economies.
Economists create new framework for examining developing economies by analyzing Thai villages. Preliminary findings show highly integrated capital markets across villages, with households relying on informal borrowing and gifts to finance opportunities.
Researchers from the University of Southampton are leading two international studies to improve the lives of over one billion people living in poverty. The ASSETS Project investigates ecosystem services at forest-agricultural interfaces in Amazonia and Africa, while assessing delta changes in Bangladesh and India.
A study by Indiana University found that racial disparities in school discipline are primarily due to school characteristics, not student behavior. Schools with higher proportions of black students are more likely to use exclusionary forms of discipline.