Articles tagged with Poverty
A new study from Oregon State University found that 77% of low- to moderate-income American households fall below the asset poverty threshold. This means they would not have enough financial assets to maintain at least poverty-level status for three months if their income were cut off.
A study published in PLoS ONE found that inadequate calcium and vitamin D intake are prevalent among the US population, particularly those living below the poverty line. The research highlights the significant risk of osteoporosis for men and women from low-income backgrounds, with non-Hispanic Black men facing a two-fold increased risk.
Researchers found that non-white counties had higher cumulative incidences and deaths compared to predominantly white counties, even among high-income communities. Structural racism may explain the racial disparities in COVID-19 cases and deaths noted in Black counties.
A new study found that Michigan's Medicaid expansion program significantly improved health outcomes for the most vulnerable residents, including those with extremely low incomes and chronic health conditions. The program also saw improvements in health among participants of all ages, backgrounds, and geographic regions.
During the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, researchers found a shift in the association between poverty and case numbers, with richer counties experiencing higher confirmed cases. In contrast, poorer counties saw disproportionately higher death rates, even after accounting for other factors.
A new study found that Indonesia's national anti-poverty program reduced deforestation by 30% through cash transfers. The program provided poor households with conditional cash transfers, which helped reduce forest cover loss and protect biodiverse primary forests.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found a strong correlation between higher reading proficiency among third-grade students and lower homicide rates in Baltimore neighborhoods. The researchers discovered that for every 2% increase in reading proficiency, there was one fewer homicide per 100,000 people annually.
The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbated by co-existing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and poverty, particularly in communities of poverty. Precision public health strategies are needed to address the interaction between COVID-19 mortality and NCDs.
Using air conditioners increases electricity bills on average by 42%, particularly affecting poorer households. Climate change amplifies this impact, especially in Europe and North America.
A climate game developed by Max Planck researchers shows that global cooperation can be possible -- although not without effort. The study found that richer countries rarely stopped climate change and migration, while poorer countries supported a minimum level of climate protection.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that adding $8 an hour to the paychecks of people with opioid dependence can help them stay drug-free longer and encourage them to get regular jobs. The study also showed that this financial stimulus can reduce poverty and improve employment outcomes.
Mahima Saxena, PhD, has been honored with the SIOP Humanitarian Award for her sustained efforts in improving lives through I-O science. Her research focuses on marginalized workers and has influenced public health policies and policy recommendations.
A group of researchers used a poverty simulation game called SPENT to study people's beliefs about poverty and economic inequality. The study found that playing the game helped develop stronger recognition of situational causes of poverty and reduced support for economic inequality.
Research reveals demographic differences in environmental issue conceptualization by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Lower-income and racial minority groups prioritize human factors over ecological issues, suggesting a holistic approach to addressing interconnected social and environmental concerns is necessary.
Research at Thomas Jefferson University shows that nursing students' pre-existing assumptions about poverty are not challenged by existing training, and that service learning may even be detrimental to building empathy. The study suggests that nurses need more education on reflecting on their role in combating societal stigma of poverty.
A recent study by the University of Arizona Health Sciences found that Native Americans do not have inherently higher cigarette use rates, contrary to long-held stereotypes. After adjusting for income and education levels, white Americans were more likely to use cigarettes daily and be nicotine dependent.
A study from York University reveals a wide trust gap between Americans in southern and northern regions. The gap persists even after considering internal migration, with southerners generally exhibiting lower trust levels due to the region's collectivist culture.
A study found that malnourishment is linked to psychological distress among Canadians aged 45 years and older, with indicators including low fruit and vegetable intake and higher chocolate consumption. Chronic pain, multiple health problems, poverty, and immigrant status were also strongly associated with psychological distress.
Three finalists, Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team, Field Ready, and Hala Systems, will receive $3.7 million to develop innovative solutions for humanitarian crises caused by conflict. The projects aim to provide accurate maps, essential items, and early warning systems to help vulnerable populations.
A study of Medicaid expansion enrollees in Michigan found a six-point increase in employment or student status in one year, with larger gains seen among African-Americans, men, and those with low incomes. The findings suggest that expanding Medicaid coverage can help achieve fuller employment among low-income residents.
Research from Boston Children's Hospital shows a strong association between poverty levels and suicide rates among children and teens. The study found that counties with higher poverty rates had nearly 37% higher suicide rates compared to those with lower poverty rates.
Redlining practices in the 1930s are associated with higher rates of emergency department visits due to asthma, with a 39% increased risk in previously redlined neighbourhoods compared to non-redlined areas. Historical policies may have shaped neighbourhood development and air quality, contributing to asthma incidence.
A study found that counties with high poverty levels had a 37% higher youth suicide rate, with firearm suicides increasing by 87%. This highlights the need for targeted prevention efforts to address poverty-related factors contributing to youth suicide.
A recent study explores the association between county-level poverty concentrations and suicide rates among children and adolescents in the US. The findings suggest that areas with higher levels of poverty are more likely to experience increased suicide rates among young people.
A new study found that childhood violence exposure and social deprivation can alter white matter connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, leading to a heightened response to threats. Social support acts as a buffer, reducing the negative effects of early-life stress.
A three-year UQ study aims to improve food security among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children through a community-led framework and knowledge-sharing solutions. The study will capture participants' experiences and develop effective mechanisms to improve food security in remote Australia.
A study by Princeton University found that people perceive a person's competence partly based on subtle economic cues from their clothing. In nine studies, participants rated faces wearing different upper-body clothing as more or less competent depending on the perceived wealth of the clothes.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin developed a new spatial index to measure the connections between poverty and poor accessibility in Brazil. The mapping tool identifies areas where people face extreme difficulties in accessing healthcare, with 1 in 5 people traveling over 10km by non-motorized transport to reach a facility.
A new essay in PLOS Biology argues that poverty compromises health by creating unequal access to beneficial microorganisms. People living in low-income communities lack essential factors promoting healthy microbiomes, leading to poor health outcomes such as obesity and mental health disorders.
Researchers found that nurse home visits have long-term benefits for children born to high-risk mothers, improving cognitive function and academic performance. The program also resulted in significant savings of $17,310 per family in public benefit costs.
The study found that energy needs for providing decent living standards are well below current national and global energy use, especially for basic human needs like health and education. Developing countries face different resource needs to meet the same human development goals, requiring policymakers to invest in public transit, green...
A nationwide study led by University of Wisconsin Oshkosh researcher Jeremiah Bohr finds that high energy bills can force households to reduce spending on necessities, leading to increased risk of poverty. The study emphasizes the importance of energy assistance and efficiency for low-income households.
Researchers studied ambulatory care teams caring for socially complex patients in an A-ICU setting, finding that team cohesion and flexibility are key to successful care. Participants prioritized improving patient engagement over reducing utilization or cost.
A new study conducted at Hospital for Special Surgery found that race and poverty are not risk factors for total knee replacement revision or failure. Factors associated with a higher risk of revision included younger age, male sex, and use of constrained prosthesis.
A new book reveals how Bangladesh's aquaculture growth defied predictions, improving poverty reduction, employment generation, and food security. The 'Blue Revolution' increased fish consumption and reduced prices, benefiting all income groups.
Research suggests that counties with high poverty levels have a 37% higher rate of child suicides compared to the least impoverished counties. The association is particularly pronounced for firearm suicides. To address this issue, experts recommend safe gun storage and open communication with children about mental health and suicide.
A new study found that poverty worsened the working memory of refugee youth, while exposure to war-related trauma did not have lasting impacts on executive function. The researchers suggest that addressing ongoing poverty is crucial for improving learning outcomes and educational achievement in adolescents affected by war.
New research from the University of Colorado Denver finds that US refugee resettlement programs create systemic barriers to socioeconomic stability. Refugees often face intense scrutiny and calculations of worthiness, leading to limited governmental support.
A new special issue of World Development examines the ways forests serve to alleviate poverty around the world. Research highlights the importance of forests in promoting broader prosperity, including through community-based forest enterprises, ecotourism, and ecosystem services.
A recent study found that infant mortality rates in England have risen for the last four years, with a disproportionate impact on the most deprived local authorities. The research suggests that about a third of the increase in infant mortality may be attributed to rising child poverty, equivalent to an extra 172 infant deaths.
Researchers found a significant correlation between financial challenges and early ageing, using data from 5500 middle-aged persons. The study suggests that poor finances can lead to premature ageing, with effects on physical capability and cognitive function.
A new study reveals that prioritizing a subset of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would lead to greater overall progress. Focusing efforts on Life below Water, Life on Land, and Gender Equality goals reinforces virtuous circles and achieves better outcomes.
A new study by George Mason University found that socioeconomic factors and segregated counties may independently impact drug overdose death rates, with varying effects on different racial and ethnic groups. The strongest link was observed for unemployment diversity, which increased overdose deaths across all groups.
A new PSU study found that shifting to renewable energy can increase energy poverty, particularly in nations with increasing inequality. Renewable energy consumption reduces carbon emissions more effectively in contexts of increased inequality, whereas it has a lesser impact when inequality is decreasing.
Research links persistent child poverty in the UK to poor physical and mental health, including a higher risk of obesity and mental ill health. The study, based on the UK Millennium Cohort Study, suggests urgent action is needed to reduce child poverty for healthy futures.
Research published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that persistent poverty affects nearly a fifth of UK children, leading to poorer mental, social, and behavioral development. Children experiencing poverty also face worse educational outcomes, employment prospects, and earning power into adulthood.
A study suggests that increasing Ghanaian cocoa prices by up to 47% could potentially eliminate all forms of child labor from cocoa production. The model assumes that the price premium mitigates the negative financial effects for households, maintaining current living standards.
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that growing up in poverty and experiencing traumatic events accelerates puberty, brain maturation, and mental health disorders. Poverty was associated with increased psychiatric symptoms and cognitive deficits, while trauma showed large effects on mood/anxiety and psychosis.
African elephant populations are stabilizing in some regions, with poaching rates falling from 10% to 4% between 2011 and 2017. Corruption and poverty drive poaching, suggesting efforts to reduce ivory demand may be more effective than law enforcement alone.
A study found that US counties with high slave populations in 1860 display higher pro-White bias among White residents and lower bias among Black residents. Structural inequalities, such as poverty and neighborhood segregation, also correlate with implicit bias.
New research shows that community forest management in Nepal has simultaneously reduced deforestation and poverty. The study found a 37% relative reduction in deforestation and a 4.3% relative reduction in poverty, benefiting over 1.36 million households.
A recent study by University of Kent researchers found that palm oil's potential to alleviate poverty depends on its social and environmental context. In Kalimantan, Indonesian villages experienced slower improvements in social and environmental well-being when growing oil palm compared to those without it.
The £7m Penda project aims to evaluate interventions improving the well-being of people with disabilities in LMICs, addressing poverty, health, education, stigma, and discrimination. The project seeks to provide evidence-based policies and services that meet the needs of disabled people on an equal basis.
A new study found that social support was a significant factor in recovery from suicidal thoughts among Canadians with disabling chronic pain. Nearly two-thirds of those who had previously thought about suicide were free from suicidal thoughts, highlighting the importance of close relationships in remission.
A new study from Stanford University's Immigration Policy Lab found that providing low-income immigrants with free access to application assistance boosts naturalization rates. The gentlest kind of nudge—simple, well-placed information—most effectively targets those who are less educated and have lower incomes.
A Northwestern University study found that poverty can become embedded in nearly 10% of the genome, associated with over 2,500 sites and 1,500 genes. This epigenetic mark may shape gene expression and contribute to disease development.
Living near protected areas designated by IUCN can have a positive impact on children's wealth levels, reducing poverty by 17% compared to those far away. Children also experience improved growth outcomes, with higher height-for-age scores and lower risk of stunted growth.
Children born into poverty show weaker brain activity and poorer distractor suppression in the left frontal cortex area of the brain that is involved in working memory. Researchers used portable neuroimaging technologies to measure brain activity in children aged four months to four years in rural India.
Research found a strong link between improved physical fitness and reduced absenteeism in NYC middle schoolers. Girls from high-poverty neighborhoods experienced the greatest reduction in absenteeism, with an 11% improvement in attendance after a large increase in physical fitness.
A recent study from Oregon State University reveals that over 63% of American children and 55% of Americans live in 'asset' poverty, meaning they have limited assets to rely on during financial crises. This form of poverty poses significant challenges for families, especially those headed by single mothers.