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The Connection Between Poverty and Health Problems in the United States

United States

      Here in our paradise, our so-called "developed nations", there still exists a multitude of problems relating health and the poor. We may not know this, because as a society, we tend not to publicize our shortcomings, but rather the short comings of a developing nation. There is news all the time about the starving populaces in Bangladesh and Ethiopia, but for some reason, we do not hear about the starving people in Newark, Chicago, or Houston.

      Every year, the United States government sets an income as the poverty line. If your income falls above that line, you are not in poverty. If your income falls below that line, you are in poverty. About 13% of the United States population falls below that line each year, and thus it seems strange that we almost never hear of the health problems in our own country.

      Now, take you knowledge of the economic differences between classes, and go take a walk in your supermarket, or McDonalds. The McLean Deluxe, a relative low-fat burger costs much, much more than a normal ones does. Anything with nutri-sweet substituted for sugar also costs more. If you're middle or upper class, you might buy some low-fat Cambells soup variety canned goods, because you will pay the extra money for the healthy version, but if you're in poverty, you're probably going to buy the Chunk Deluxe Chili Beans that are 3748 calories a serving, but are on sale for 39 cents.

      Now look at the statistics. What trend do you think exists between classes and obesity?? Right. The poorer you are, the more likely you are overweight. Single women are more apt to be overweight.

      This is a serious problem that must be addressed if we want the younger generation to survive.