As in any other playoff, candidate rhetoric let loose during the U.S. presidential race can be tough. We’ve held a front row seat to the 2012 showdown for over a year, with tensions still rising as the general election looms nearer. Some of the barbs launched along the campaign trail have been laughable: Newt Gingrich’s television ad incriminating Mitt Romney for his ability to speak French comes to mind. Others are not. The dialogue surrounding U.S. poverty and inequality, two issues that are hotter than ever during a deep recession that the nation has shown incapable of simply shaking off [...]
Health
Battling poor health in Miami with urban farming
Former basketball player Will Allen is spearheading a movement to encourage residents in low-income communities to reverse health problems through urban farming. The movement focuses on reaching the low-income African-American population, many of whom suffer poor health. Photo credit: Joe Picciolo »
Texas cuts to family planning could hurt low-income women
Lawmakers and women’s groups in Texas continue to battle over funding family planning programs. Legislators won’t support programs that provide abortions or refer clients to clinics that do; women’s groups fear that low-income women will no longer have access to many of the services clinics provide, such as cervical and breast exams. The Texas... »
Maternal-Related Predictors of Self-Regulation Among Low-Income Youth
The association between self-regulation and various adaptive outcomes is a topic of growing interest, yet there is little research on predictors of self-regulation in children. This study examined whether maternal characteristics, namely the mother’s mental health, substance abuse, parenting practices, and child monitoring predicted self-regulation in children. Participants were a culturally diverse group of... »
Childhood Trauma and Adult Self-Reported Depression
This study addresses Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) within the context of self-reported depression among low-income ethnic minorities in urban settings. ACEs are plentiful in society, but their consequences are rarely addressed, particularly their impact on mental wellness. Findings highlight the importance of research on the prevalence of multiple types of childhood maltreatment, particularly in... »
Suicidal Behavior in a National Sample of Older Homeless Veterans
This study examines self-reported suicidal behavior of older homeless veterans to establish frequencies and predictors of recent suicidal behaviors, and their impact on transitional housing interventions. They found that approximately 12 percent of homeless veterans reported suicidal ideation before program admission, and 3 percent reported attempting suicide in the 30 days before admission. The... »
‘Food deserts’ may not be to blame
OPINION: The notion of “food deserts” can be misleading. Often, poor access to good food is not the primary barrier to healthy eating, and increasing access may not lead to better health outcomes. Factors such as prices, preparation time and skill, level of education, transportation, cultural practices and taste must also be considered when addressing pervasive nutrition... »
Differences in individuals’ health may be linked to their neighborhoods
Many physical conditions common to low-income areas are linked to higher risk of death and disease. In one California county, residents of a poorer neighborhood are far more likely to suffer certain health problems than are people in wealthier neighborhoods one mile away. The community is now combining environmental changes with increased personal awareness to... »
Substandard health care a concern for many
Hundreds of community health centers serve millions of people, most of them poor. Many already fall short on key measures such as vaccinating children and helping diabetics control blood sugar. The patient load at non-profit, privately-run health centers has doubled in the last decade–and is expected to rise further if the health care law is upheld.... »
Community clinics have odds stacked against them
A dramatic performance variation exists among community health centers. Lower-performing centers typically have a higher proportion of uninsured patients and lack electronic record systems. Others have a disproportionate number of patients who are obese or who do not follow their doctors’ recommendations. These clinics use a variety of methods to overcome the obstacles in providing... »
One million Texas children still lack health insurance
More than 1 million Texas children remain uninsured, state and federal data show. As a result, many of them will use hospital emergency rooms as their primary source of care, rather than doctors who know their medical history. Many qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, but often their parents are unaware of... »