Articles tagged with Poverty
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.
A study by IIASA estimates large gaps in access to essential space cooling, particularly in India, SE Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. Filling this gap would require a 14% increase in global residential electricity consumption.
A new study found no correlation between increased violent content in PG-13 rated movies and rising crime rates in the US. The research contradicts previous claims that exposure to such content can lead to desensitization and increased aggression.
A recent study by Massachusetts General Hospital and the Perelman School of Medicine found that 18% of employed women in healthcare work for low wages, with nearly half earning less than $15/hour. The research suggests that raising the minimum wage to $15/hour could decrease poverty rates among female healthcare workers by up to 50%.
Research estimates that bidi smoking in India results in INR 805.5 billion (US$12.4 billion) in direct and indirect costs, including healthcare expenses and lost productivity. The habit disproportionately affects men, particularly those from lower-income households who already struggle with poverty.
A new study tested an emotional coping skills program, Journey of Hope, with over 100 children attending high-poverty elementary schools in Tennessee. The program showed positive impacts on children's behavior, including reduced conduct problems and increased prosocial behaviors.
New research by the Work Foundation finds that many businesses are failing to maximise the value of employee benefits for low earners. The report recommends a 'framework of good practice' outlining 7 steps to take, including securing commitment among business leaders and providing additional support to inform choice. By embracing these...
A narrative inquiry study found that victims of urban gun violence experience everyday violence as a common occurrence, leading to feelings of hopelessness and powerlessness. The study identified four themes: prevailing nature of everyday violence, feeling abandoned by societal institutions, living in a context of reactive violence, an...
The prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting among girls up to 14 years old has decreased in most African regions over the past three decades. However, the practice remains pervasive in Western Asia-Iraq and Yemen.
A Scripps Oceanography-led study finds that small-scale fisheries in the Gulf of California are overexploited and unable to support fishermen's livelihoods. However, if fish stocks recover, total annual revenues could increase by 70%.
A study by UCLA researchers found that California's minority population contributes to the state's relatively low death rate, despite high poverty and lack of insurance rates. The state's death rate from all causes was 619.1 per 100,000 population in 2016, lower than the national average.
A new analysis of US internet search data found a strong association between anti-Muslim and pro-ISIS searches in ethnically alike communities with high poverty levels. The study suggests that counterterrorism policies targeting Muslims may inadvertently increase radicalization in these communities.
A new Michigan State University study found that disaster recovery policies must consider the livelihood portfolio of families to avoid long-term devastation. The research focused on the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake in China, where rebuilding efforts inadvertently worsened poverty and environmental degradation.
The Sub-national Human Development Index (SHDI) provides a new tool for monitoring progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting regional disparities in poverty, education, and health. By analyzing data from 160 countries, the SHDI reveals uneven distribution of human development across regions within poor countries.
A comprehensive analysis of Medicaid expansion found significant improvements in various health outcomes, including increased insurance coverage among adults without a college degree, higher use of primary care and preventive services, and reduced reliance on emergency departments. The study also reported declines in short- and long-te...
Research finds that working adults without paid sick leave benefits are three times more likely to live below the poverty line. They also face higher rates of food insecurity and require more welfare services, with increased medical expenses and lack of preventive care contributing to these outcomes.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health identified 11 safety measures that could potentially save over 250,000 lives annually in low- and middle-income countries. These interventions include speeding enforcement, formal swimming lessons for young children, and crèches to supervise young children.
A study published in The BMJ found that increasing cigarette prices by 50% would lead to significant gains in life years gained, treatment costs averted, and financial protection for low-income individuals. Men in the bottom income group would gain an average of five times more life years than those in the top income group.
A comprehensive study found that higher cigarette prices would add to years of life lived and cut billions of dollars in treatment costs for families worldwide. The analysis concludes that lower-income individuals would benefit the most from higher prices, with a 50% increase resulting in 67 million men quitting smoking.
A University of Michigan study found that energy-efficient lighting availability and price vary with poverty levels. In high-poverty areas, the upfront cost of LED bulbs is twice as high as conventional incandescent bulbs, limiting access to energy efficiency.
A comprehensive analysis of global data shows that taxes on unhealthy products have the potential to reduce deaths from non-communicable diseases by a third by 2030. Implementation of these taxes can provide financial protection through tax-financed health care and social health insurance programmes.
A sudden loss of wealth was associated with an increased risk of death among US adults. The study found that losing 75% or more of total net worth over a two-year period left fewer resources for healthcare expenses and had long-lasting health consequences.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) is championing the health of vulnerable populations with a special focus. The journal aims to shine a light on vulnerability in healthcare and empower those who are most affected.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals a significant racial and ethnic disparity in Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection rates in the US population. TV infection disproportionately affects black individuals, with higher prevalence rates among black males and females, particularly those living below poverty level.
A new study aims to understand how poverty affects cognitive processes and learning in disadvantaged children between birth and age 2. The research seeks to identify experiences that may improve long-term outcomes for these children.
A new model forecasts that nearly 25% of elderly Japanese women will be impoverished, while only about 10% of men will face the same issue. The current pension system is expected to fail these women due to unfavorable benefits and higher risk of living in single-person households.
A study published in Health Affairs found that male recipients of Colombia Mayor, a noncontributory pension program, had improved health outcomes. They reported 5.6% less bad health and a 5.4% reduced likelihood of hospitalization. The program provides eligible low-income elderly Colombians with a small monthly cash transfer of $16-34.
A Johns Hopkins analysis found that children of low-income parents enrolled in Medicaid had a 29% higher probability of receiving a well-child visit compared to those not enrolled. The relationship was strongest among families with incomes between 100% and 200% of the federal poverty level.
A recent Portland State University study shows that the term middle class is too simplistic to describe economic status across different countries and cultures. The study found that increases in income did not necessarily translate to reduced structural inequality in Brazil.
A study by Harvard University researchers found that households' payments for medical premiums, copayments, and deductibles pushed over 7 million Americans into poverty in 2014. The study also showed that health care spending worsened overall income inequality, with the poorest 10% experiencing a 47.6% decline in income.
The study found that low-income immigrants are deterred from applying for US citizenship due to the high cost of the application process, with costs rising by 800% since 1985. A new public-private program, NaturalizeNY, offers vouchers covering the fee, doubling the application rate among recipients.
A study found that US naturalization rates are lower compared to countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK. Low-income immigrant applicants often face challenges due to the high cost of naturalization fees, hindering their ability to become citizens.
Research suggests that wealth is associated with increased self-focused emotions and decreased interdependence. Lower-income individuals report more positive emotions focused on others and a stronger sense of connection.
Researchers developed a computational tool that combines cellphone records with satellite and geographic information systems to create timely and incredibly detailed poverty maps. The study focused on Senegal, creating maps detailing the poverty levels of 552 communities.
A new paper calls for cognitive researchers to engage with cultural sociology to better understand the impact of culture on poverty, ethics, and discrimination. The authors examine three prominent cognitive research models, highlighting their limitations and suggesting ways to advance research by incorporating cultural references.
A new study by The Arnhold Institute for Global Health found that microfinance institutions can effectively distribute essential health products to rural communities, leading to improved child health outcomes. Microfinance networks were used to deliver micronutrient supplements, resulting in a significant impact on the health of childr...
Research found that lupus patients on Medicaid have lower HCQ therapy adherence in areas with high African-American populations, few hospitals, and Health Professional Shortage Areas. This association remained after controlling for individual-level characteristics like poverty and education.
Research by Stanford scholar Claire Dunning shows that 1960s anti-poverty programs like New Careers created entry-level human services jobs, predominantly taken by African-American and Latina women. These jobs were low wage and lacked career advancement opportunities.
A new study found that Medicare beneficiaries in low-income US counties utilize observation care more commonly, leading to high out-of-pocket expenses. Patients in poor counties were 17% more likely to incur high costs compared to wealthier counterparts.
A UTA study found that more than 65% of residents living in the transit-dependent core of Dallas have limited access to jobs within a 45-minute commute time. The study also shows that households spend over 19% of their income on transportation, making it unaffordable for many residents.
A study of 12,612 Hispanic children found that those in immigrant families reported fewer adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) than those in U.S.-native families. Children in immigrant families were more likely to have no ACE exposure, with a prevalence of 53%, compared to 44% for U.S.-native families.
Suburban areas in the US face barriers to healthcare access, including limited community health centers and free clinics. Poor suburbanites have higher odds of being uninsured and having unmet healthcare needs compared to higher-income adults.
A new study published in Science found that offering small financial incentives to Ugandan landowners cut deforestation in half, preserving 3,000 tons of CO2 and costing just 46 cents per ton. The program, which worked despite initial skepticism, could be a cost-effective way to meet climate change goals.
Research found that high-quality parenting reduces disruptive behavior and improves teacher-child relationships in children experiencing homelessness. However, severe poverty may overwhelm parenting's benefits, highlighting the need for interventions targeting both poverty-related risk and child resilience.
New research from Rice University reveals that more children are living in high-poverty neighborhoods after the Great Recession, with a significant increase in non-Hispanic white children. Children in these neighborhoods are on average a year behind academically, according to standardized math, reading and writing assessment tests.
A new study models rural poverty using ecological, economic, and epidemiological factors. The framework highlights disease transmission and recovery rates as key determinants of long-term health and wealth dynamics.
Low-income students report that reciprocal peer relationships, teachers who care, and family assets contribute to their academic success. The study's findings can inform program design to support students at risk of failure due to poverty.
A new study from UC Davis researchers found that immigrant farmworkers are less likely to use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) compared to their US-born counterparts. The analysis of comprehensive data on farmworker households showed a significant increase in SNAP participation among citizens, while immigrants and H...
Despite nationwide improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, US adults at or below poverty levels showed little change in blood pressure, smoking rates, and predicted cardiovascular risk between 1999 and 2014. The study highlights the need to address income disparities in cardiovascular disease prevention.
A new study finds that countries most affected by weather-related disasters do not necessarily spend more on commercial weather and climate information services. Developing countries actually commit a higher percentage of their GDP to these services, recognizing their value in mitigating risks.
A field study in Malawi reveals that intrinsic excitement about learning is a stronger predictor of school attendance than extrinsic motivation. Stimulating girls' sense of competence and autonomy may be as effective as economic approaches in achieving behavioral change.
A University of Washington study found that neighborhoods with high poverty and disorganization tend to have residents who drink twice as much and binge-drink four times as frequently. The researchers suggest that improving neighborhood quality of life can lead to benefits, including reduced problem drinking.
Two studies found a link between poverty and worsening lupus disease outcomes, as well as higher rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes among Black and Hispanic women. Poverty status was also associated with increased end-organ damage over time.
A new study found that village savings groups led to positive business outcomes, increased business profits by 24%, and boosted women's empowerment. However, longer-term tracking is needed to determine the sustainability of these impacts.
Researchers propose new solution to alleviate poverty by incorporating culture and nature, classifying three types of solutions: Big Push, lowering the barrier, and transforming the system. This new approach aims to break the cycle of poverty and environmental degradation.