Question

Poverty is central to health and development in low-income and middle-income countries. State your definition of poverty prior to studying public health. Based on this definition, what would be the focus of poverty alleviation solutions? Based on the relational and spiritual definition of poverty, discuss how the focus of solutions would change to include a holistic approach. Identify an example of a health program or solution that integrates a relational definition of poverty. Watch the video on "Defining Poverty" to help in responding to this discussion question.

Answer 1

Poverty has several definitions depending on the context of the situation in which it is involved. According to me poverty is lack of basic capacity to participate effectively in the society due to inability of having choices and opportunities. It involves powerlessness, insecurity, and exclusion of individuals, communities and households.

Based on the above definition, the focus of poverty alleviation solutions should be on increasing the supply of basic needs such as food and other goods, education, healthcare facilities, etc; controlling the overpopulation, and increasing the personal income of the people living in the society.

Relational definition of poverty indicates that people lack the minimum amount of income needed in order to maintain the average standard of living as compared to others in the society in which they live. Spiritual definition of poverty indicates lack of ability to acquire spiritual things. Spiritual poverty is lack of one's ability to have the desired things that are beyond his reach. Any person who is financially comfortable can be a spiritual poor. Therefore, based on the relational and spiritual definition of poverty, the focus of poverty alleviation solutions would change to include a holistic approach. It is necessary to consider all the aspects of poverty definitions in implementing the poverty alleviation program.

An example of a health program or solution that integrates a relational definition of poverty is providing the basic healthcare facilities by the government or charitable trust to the poor people who cannot afford to have these facilities due to lack of adequate income.