Poverty and health
Poverty and health are closely linked, with poverty having negative impacts on an individual’s health status. Here are some of the ways in which poverty affects health:
- Limited access to healthcare: People living in poverty may have limited access to healthcare services due to financial constraints. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, as well as reduced access to preventive care such as vaccinations and screenings.
- Malnutrition: People living in poverty may have limited access to healthy and nutritious food, leading to malnutrition, stunted growth, and impaired cognitive development.
- Environmental hazards: People living in poverty are more likely to be exposed to environmental hazards such as air pollution, unsafe water, and hazardous living conditions, which can lead to respiratory diseases, waterborne illnesses, and other health problems.
- Mental health: Poverty can contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression, which can have negative impacts on mental health.
- Infectious diseases: Poverty can increase the risk of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS due to poor living conditions and limited access to healthcare.
- Chronic diseases: People living in poverty are more likely to develop chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease due to factors such as poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and limited access to healthcare.
Addressing poverty is essential for improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities. This requires targeted interventions and policies that address the root causes of poverty, including improving access to education, employment, and healthcare services, and reducing economic and social inequalities.
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