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Safety net program shown effective in helping low-income households recover their livelihood following natural disasters

The Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) has shown positive results in helping poor households develop proactive coping strategies before and during natural disasters. Researchers found that the existing program strengthened financial capital but had limited impact on human and physical capitals, highlighting the need for integrated social p...

SourceYokohama National University·JournalInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction·DateOct 31, 2022

US food insufficiency spiked by 25% after monthly Child Tax Credits expired

A new study found that the expiration of monthly Child Tax Credit payments led to a 25% increase in food insufficiency among US households with children. The loss of cash relief benefits disproportionately impacted Black, Latino, Indigenous, and immigrant families, exacerbating racial and economic inequities.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateOct 21, 2022

In medieval Norway, high-class people had stronger bones

A study published in PLOS ONE found that high-status individuals in medieval Norway had higher bone mineral density and were taller than those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This suggests that socioeconomic status may have played a role in shaping health outcomes over time.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateOct 19, 2022

Maternal education and household income at birth can increase a child’s chances of overweight and obesity at age 10, according to new research

A new international study found that maternal education levels and household income at birth are significant predictors of childhood overweight and obesity. Social inequalities were evident across seven high-income countries, with lower maternal education associated with higher risk of overweight and obesity.

SourceConcordia University·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 21, 2022

Growing numbers of Native American households in Nevada face plumbing poverty, water quality problems

A new study found that Native American households in Nevada lack complete indoor plumbing, with an average of 0.67% households affected between 1990-2019. The study also revealed a significant increase in Safe Drinking Water Act violations, with over 20,000 people impacted in 2019.

SourceDesert Research Institute·JournalEnvironmental Science & Policy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 7, 2022

Understanding the full picture of child poverty

A study by Duke University researchers reveals that net worth poverty has a significant impact on child development, affecting cognitive scores and behavior. The research highlights the importance of considering both income and wealth when designing programs to address child wellbeing.

SourceDuke University·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 6, 2022

Forgotten orphans left behind in COVID-19 pandemic, study reveals

A global study reveals that COVID-19 has led to a significant increase in orphaned children worldwide. The analysis, conducted by researchers at Australian National University, found that fertility rates, poverty, vaccine coverage, and disease prevalence contribute to the risk of children losing one or both parents during the pandemic.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 31, 2022

How health systems can help build black wealth

According to Penn Medicine experts, health systems can utilize several strategies to help Black communities build wealth, including promoting job opportunities and investing in local economies. Wealth building has also been shown to improve health outcomes, as it affords choice and stability in housing, education, and nutrition.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 31, 2022

Ethnicity, poverty, low community involvement linked to lasting loneliness

A study of 641 participants found that midlife and older Hispanic/Latinx adults were more likely to experience prolonged loneliness, with 16% persistently lonely. The researchers suggest that culturally important familism was disrupted by social distancing, and reduced access to transportation and community activities may contribute to...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateAug 30, 2022

State-level earned income tax credit linked to reduction in high-risk HIV behavior among single mothers

A 21% relative risk reduction in reported high-risk HIV behavior was found for single mothers with a State-level Earned Income Tax Credit (SEITC) of 10% or above the Federal EITC. A 10 percentage-point increase in SEITC was also linked to a 38% relative reduction in high-risk behavior.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalAIDS and Behavior·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 29, 2022

Risk of premature death in adulthood influenced by patterns of early childhood adversity, NIH study suggests

A NIH study of over 46,000 participants found that childhood poverty combined with crowded housing or parental separation increases the risk of premature death by 41-50%, compared to those without early life adversity. The study also identified a higher risk of premature death for individuals with multiple adverse childhood experiences.

Gender pay gap linked to unpaid chores in childhood

A new study found that girls who spend more time on household chores in childhood are more likely to have limited future employment opportunities. The research suggests that unequal shares of household care work contribute to the gender pay gap, constraining girls' access to better-paid and higher-quality jobs.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalFeminist Economics·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 21, 2022

Diverse nurse workforce linked to better maternal health outcomes in childbirth

A study by Columbia University found that diverse nurse workforces are associated with reduced risk of life-threatening complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and the post-partum period. Racial and ethnic minorities face higher risks, with Native American mothers having the highest incidence of severe adverse maternal outcomes.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateJul 19, 2022

Congenital syphilis linked to socioeconomic factors in small/medium California counties

Congenital syphilis cases are on the rise in California's small and medium-sized counties. A new study found that poverty and low education levels contribute to the spread of the disease. The researchers call for improved access to prenatal services to address this growing public health crisis.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of Perinatology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 12, 2022

Reduction of global inequalities in energy use necessary to stop climate change

A new study by ICTA-UAB reveals that existing climate mitigation scenarios perpetuate energy use inequalities between the Global North and South. To stop climate change, the Global North must reduce its energy consumption to sustainable levels while allowing for sufficient growth in energy use in the rest of the world.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 7, 2022

Randomized controlled trial finds women’s help desks in local police stations in India increased registration of cases of gender-based violence; scale-up in progress

A randomized controlled trial found that establishing specialized help desks for women in local police stations in Madhya Pradesh, India led to increased registration of cases of gender-based violence. The presence of female officers was particularly effective in making the police more responsive to women's security needs.

SourceAbdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab·JournalScience·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 7, 2022

Motherhood is equal to partner absence as a cause of economic disadvantage in single mothers

New research by Professor Susan Harkness reveals that motherhood earning penalties have a significant impact on the economic wellbeing of single mothers. The study found that labour market penalties, cost of partner absence and child-related increases in financial needs combine to negatively affect single mothers' income.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalDemography·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 5, 2022

Rich people from humble origins are less sensitive to the challenges of poverty than those born rich, research finds

New research suggests that people who become wealthy from humble origins are less likely to support social welfare and have reduced sympathy for the poor compared to those who were born into wealth. The study of 736 participants found a positive view of upwardly mobile individuals, but also discovered that they perceived improving thei...

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Physical activity should be encouraged during pregnancy, even for socially vulnerable women

Research in western Amazonia found that at least 150 minutes of exercise per week correlated with lower birth weight and reduced risk of childhood obesity and diabetes. The study also showed that physical activity during pregnancy may help prevent excessive weight gain, contributing to a reduced birth weight.

Regenstrief and Indiana University study explores eating, drinking, and physical activity among middle aged women living with obesity and urban poverty

Researchers analyzed mobile app data to gain insight into behaviors of middle-aged women living with severe obesity in urban poverty. The study found associations between anxiety and weight loss or gain, as well as correlations between location, timing, and eating/drinking frequency.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalObesity Science & Practice·DateMay 25, 2022

Springing people from the poverty trap

A field experiment in Bangladesh shows that the poor lack opportunities to gain wealth, but a one-time boost can make a major difference. The study suggests that poverty is not principally due to people's capabilities or attitudes, but rather an initial lack of resources prevents them from improving their circumstances.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·DateMay 11, 2022

Mental health and substance use among adolescents experiencing homelessness in the United States

A recent study found that homeless US adolescents experience significantly worse mental health and more substance use than their housed peers. The burden of homelessness disproportionately affects black, Hispanic, and LGBTQIA+ individuals, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and policies to address structural injustices.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalJAMA·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 10, 2022

CHOP study finds neighborhood poverty and crowding associated with higher rates of COVID-19 in pregnancy

A new study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that neighborhood poverty and crowding are associated with higher rates of COVID-19 in pregnancy. Researchers analyzed data from over 5,991 pregnant patients and found disparities in SARS-CoV-2 positivity among different racial and ethnic groups.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateMay 5, 2022

Cash transfer proposal has downsides for child poverty

A Washington State University study suggests that a cash transfer proposal would increase poverty among single-mother families and triple the number of children living in deep poverty. The Family Security Act aims to cut child poverty by providing monthly payments, but its effects on single mothers' labor supply and income are uncertain.

SourceWashington State University·JournalEconomic Modelling·DateApr 12, 2022

Poverty, crime linked to differences in newborns’ brains

Research suggests that pregnant mothers' environments can influence the structure and function of their babies' brains before birth. A study found that babies born to mothers living in poverty tend to have smaller brains than those whose mothers had higher household incomes. Additionally, exposure to crime during pregnancy may affect b...

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 12, 2022

Medicaid health plan community health workers have positive impact on care

A randomized controlled trial found that community health workers (CHWs) employed by Medicaid plans can help low-income individuals rely less on emergency rooms and more on outpatient care. The study showed significant reductions in acute care visits and costs, while outpatient visits increased among participants who connected with a CHW.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 1, 2022