Poverty is one of the largest health risk factors we face as a nation. From health outcomes to mental health diagnosis, poverty serves as a major limitation to personal and community health. For many of us, the COVID-19 Pandemic illustrated the effects of poverty on working class access to affordable healthcare. As of 2022, the official poverty rate in America is 11.5 percent meaning there are 37.9 million people living in poverty. January is National Poverty in America Awareness month, so let’s explore how poverty impacts health, and ways to help the poverty epidemic.
According to the Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in America we measure family size and income against a predetermined threshold for the income to cover basic needs. According to the Health and Human Services Commission, for a family of four the poverty guideline is $31,200, which takes into account the minimum income a family could have to survive. As we better understand how America measures poverty, it becomes clear how finances impact health outcomes.
Poverty ‘s Effect Your Health
Recent research has identified that after age, poverty is the number one condition that effects overall health outcomes. Below are just a few of the impacts that poverty has on our health.
- Access to Affordable Healthcare: Limited income directly impacts available access to affordable healthcare in America. In a 2019 survey, researchers found that based on cost people waited to receive dental, medical and prescription health care. This delay in care or treatment then results in higher death rates, health complications, and increased risk factors. There is also a lack of health care options in high poverty areas leading to longer wait times and lack of resources available.
- Food Insecurity: Being able to provide diverse food options to a family can have a hefty cost. The Food Research and Action Center found that 28.3 million adults and 12.9 million children live in food-insecure households. The health care costs for food-insecure families reflect connection between food insecurity and health effects of poverty in disadvantaged communities. In 2014, researchers found that hunger and food insecurity costs insurance companies almost $160 billion.
- Increased Mental Health Challenges: Poverty has often been linked to hopelessness, despair, and financial anxiety. Recent research shows that impoverished communities reported increased levels of mental illness and lower rates of positive mental health. In research coming from Scotland, reports linked suicide and poverty, showing triple the suicide rates where communities are more socioeconomically disadvantaged.
Raising Awareness to Poverty as a Health Epidemic in America
The health effects of poverty are not only very real but also impact those beyond just one person or family. By taking some small action steps we can help to reduce some of the health consequences of poverty on our friends, family, and community. Ideas include:
- Destigmatizing Food Pantries and Services
- Supporting Local Social Services and Levies
- Becoming aware of Local Resources Available
- Lending a listening ear to those in Need
Writer: Ryan Kline, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development , Ohio State University Extension, Ross County, [email protected]
Reviewer: Lisa Barlage, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Ross County, [email protected]
Sources:
Cook, J. T., & Poblacion, A. P. (2016). Estimating the Health-Related Costs of Food Insecurity and Hunger. In The Nourishing Effect: Ending Hunger, Improving Health, Reducing Inequality (2016 Hunger Report). Washington, DC: Bread for the World Institute.
Knifton, Lee, and Greig Inglis. “Poverty and mental health: policy, practice and research implications.” BJPsych bulletin vol. 44,5 (2020): 193-196. doi:10.1192/bjb.2020.78
Salisbury H. Helen.” Poverty as a pre-existing condition.” BMJ 2020; 371 :m4607 doi:10.1136/bmj.m4607
US Census Bureau, . “National Poverty in America Awareness Month: January 2024.” Census.Gov, 4 Jan. 2024, http://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/poverty-awareness-month.html#:~:text=Official%20Poverty%20Measure,decreased%20between%202021%20and%202022.
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September 10, 2025
poverty | Live Healthy Live Well
maximios Blog
Poverty is one of the largest health risk factors we face as a nation. From health outcomes to mental health diagnosis, poverty serves as a major limitation to personal and community health. For many of us, the COVID-19 Pandemic illustrated the effects of poverty on working class access to affordable healthcare. As of 2022, the official poverty rate in America is 11.5 percent meaning there are 37.9 million people living in poverty. January is National Poverty in America Awareness month, so let’s explore how poverty impacts health, and ways to help the poverty epidemic.
According to the Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in America we measure family size and income against a predetermined threshold for the income to cover basic needs. According to the Health and Human Services Commission, for a family of four the poverty guideline is $31,200, which takes into account the minimum income a family could have to survive. As we better understand how America measures poverty, it becomes clear how finances impact health outcomes.
Poverty ‘s Effect Your Health
Recent research has identified that after age, poverty is the number one condition that effects overall health outcomes. Below are just a few of the impacts that poverty has on our health.
Raising Awareness to Poverty as a Health Epidemic in America
The health effects of poverty are not only very real but also impact those beyond just one person or family. By taking some small action steps we can help to reduce some of the health consequences of poverty on our friends, family, and community. Ideas include:
Writer: Ryan Kline, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development , Ohio State University Extension, Ross County, [email protected]
Reviewer: Lisa Barlage, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Ross County, [email protected]
Sources:
Cook, J. T., & Poblacion, A. P. (2016). Estimating the Health-Related Costs of Food Insecurity and Hunger. In The Nourishing Effect: Ending Hunger, Improving Health, Reducing Inequality (2016 Hunger Report). Washington, DC: Bread for the World Institute.
Knifton, Lee, and Greig Inglis. “Poverty and mental health: policy, practice and research implications.” BJPsych bulletin vol. 44,5 (2020): 193-196. doi:10.1192/bjb.2020.78
Salisbury H. Helen.” Poverty as a pre-existing condition.” BMJ 2020; 371 :m4607 doi:10.1136/bmj.m4607
US Census Bureau, . “National Poverty in America Awareness Month: January 2024.” Census.Gov, 4 Jan. 2024, http://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/poverty-awareness-month.html#:~:text=Official%20Poverty%20Measure,decreased%20between%202021%20and%202022.
Read Full Post »