Question

Read the report from U.S. Census Bureau Poverty: 2014 and 2015 (American Community Survey Briefs).

Based on your assigned reading, answer the following questions for discussion:

Explain at least five steps for applying information about the causes of health disparities associated with poverty to develop health promotion interventions.

How can a reduction in poverty rates resolve disparities in health and health care?

Answer 1

According to the US census bereau poverty report , 2014 and 2015 ( American community survey brief), we can come to know the areas which have higher poverty rates , higher income to poverty ratio. This information can be used in applying different health interventions.

Key points from the survey are -

1) Higher poverty rates observed in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Lousiana, Mississippi and New Mexico.

2) Lower poverty rates observed in Alaska, connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Vermont.

3) The income to poverty ratio less than 50% is highest in state of Mississippi (10.4%).

4) The income to poverty ratio less than 50% is highest in Phoenix masa area (7.8%) amongst the metropolitan areas.

* STEPS TO APPLY THIS INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAUSES OF HEALTH DISPARITIES ASSOCIATED WITH POVERTY ARE AS FOLLOWS :

1) Education and early childhood development-

Poverty leads to lack of access to quality education which will further lead to unemployment in the future. Considering this we should work on giving quality education to each and every child from areas with higher poverty rates like Mississippi and states like Alabama and Alaska. We should also see to it that they get proper nutrition in the early years of childhood so that their physical development is good.

2) Urban planning and community development-

We should consider consider the impact of urban planning on the below poverty population. As they do not get access to good sanitory measures and beacuse of over crowding they may be exposed to different communicable diseases. Even socio economically they are at disadvantage because of poverty.

3) Income enhancement and supplements-

Areas with higher poverty rates should be supported economically so as their health and nourishment does not get compromised. This can be given in the form of monetary help and different food supplements. This will especially help the children from such communities.

4) Employment -

Lac of employment leads to increase in poverty . Poverty in turn can lead to increase in lac of health, increase in diseases, increase in the burden on healthcare system. Employment in government sector or Non government organisation can help in this regard.

5) Housing -

Lac of proper housing can lead to overcrowding, which further leads to unhygienic conditions and increase in communicable diseases. So proper housing should be provided for poverty population so as to decrese poverty and community health.

IF we apply these measures to states and metropolitan areas which have higher poverty rates ( Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Lousiana, Mississippi and New Mexico) and higher income to poverty ratio ( like Mississippi and Phoenix masa area), we can definitely reduce the disease burden on the community. People will have access to better education, higher chances of employment, better living conditions, and better community health. Once these disparities are altered it will lead to a better socio economical scenario. once the socio economic status is improved people will be more healthy as a community.