Disturbing increase in Americans living in extreme poverty

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The 2008 recession has caused massive increases in extreme poverty.

For the purpose of our analysis here, an individual as "extremely poor" if he or she resides in a family unit whose income is less than half of the federal poverty threshold. To give you a sense of what that means, the awful extremity of extreme poverty: a single person under 65 must have made less than $5,851, and a family of four must have made less than $11,509. (In my opinion, it is likely that for the majority of the extreme poor, taxable income is zero.)

Recessions, in fact, appear to affect disproportionately the extreme poor, rather than those closer to the federal poverty threshold or the "near poor," those whose income is less than twice the federal poverty threshold.

Consider this: in 2010, 6.7 percent of Americans were among the extreme poor, as compared to 5.2 percent in 2007 and 4.5 percent in 2000. That's a 50 percent increase in the fraction of extremely poor individuals -- the greatest increase, by far, of any income group relative to the poverty threshold.

more....

http://esoltas.blogspot.com/2012/06/recession-and-extreme-poverty.html

[mawilson 2,133]

a single person under 65 must have made less than $5,851,

Do they take their assets into account? If a healthy 65 year old owns his or her own home in a low-cost state, $5,851 buys more than enough food and basic necessities.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Do they take their assets into account? If a healthy 65 year old owns his or her own home in a low-cost state, $5,851 buys more than enough food and basic necessities.

But then a good percentage of that would probably go to property tax.

[mawilson 2,133]

But then a good percentage of that would probably go to property tax.

$500/year on a $100,000 home in low-cost states (Louisiana, Alabama, West Virginia, South Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi)

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

It's obvious we need to have even more illegals in this country so we can focus on giving them our tax dollars. I mean why use our tax dollars to help improve the situation for legal US citizens when we can help out the illegals.

[Danno 1,228]

Again this is so silly to claim there are hordes of people in the USA in "Extreme" poverty.

I relayed this story before and I'll repeat it.

A few years back I went with a Church group to bring food and Christmas stuff to one of the poorest counties in the Country (in WV).

Two things surprised me.

1. Even though we had advertised in the paper before we came, we still had boxes of food and gifts left unclaimed (we left it at a shelter on the way out).

2. When ever you hear about the poor folk in "Appalachian Mountains" they always put a white face on it.

I would say at least 70% of the needy folks who came were Black.

Certainly there are poor people by US standards.... but lets not confuse poverty in america to say poverty in India.

To do so you embarrass yourself.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

$500/year on a $100,000 home in low-cost states (Louisiana, Alabama, West Virginia, South Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi)

Thats roughly 10% right there. If they have an auto its probably another 150. These things add up, when all is said and done they might only have say 3500-4000 left.

[Danno 1,228]

Thats roughly 10% right there. If they have an auto its probably another 150. These things add up, when all is said and done they might only have say 3500-4000 left.

Now add in the value of the food stamps, section 8 free medical Etc.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Now add in the value of the food stamps, section 8 free medical Etc.

Is it completely free (I don't actually know)? I know my grandparents have extra insurance that covers prescriptions that I know are expensive (in the 500 USD range a month I think)

[Danno 1,228]

I was speaking broadly of those in -extreme poverty- and how the many free sources of cash and services are not figured in to their "income".

medical/dental, housing, food, heating assistance, cell phones, meals on wheels, reduced or free mass transit, W.I.C. Free breakfast/ lunch at schools.

The list goes on and on.

I have never seen children digging through trash for food in this country, I have in a few others.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I was speaking broadly of those in -extreme poverty- and how the many free sources of cash and services are not figured in to their "income".

medical/dental, housing, food, heating assistance, cell phones, meals on wheels, reduced or free mass transit, W.I.C. Free breakfast/ lunch at schools.

The list goes on and on.

I have never seen children digging through trash for food in this country, I have in a few others.

I see people living better lives off these gov't handouts than some of those who go to work every day and don't collect a dime of gov't assistance. In the city I lived in a few years back there was a family of 4 that lived in a section 8 house across the street from me, neither parent worked but both were on every bit of gov't assistance they could get their hands on. They had two newer vehicles, wide screen tv's and their kids had all of the latest fashions and toys. Why bother working when you can live that lifestyle for free?

Edited June 25, 2012 by Teddy B

[Peter_Pan 661]

You have no idea what extreme poverty means, dear Americans.

I make 200 dollars a month, and my rent is $250, but I am still rich compared to others.

[rocks 494]

You have no idea what extreme poverty means, dear Americans.

I make 200 dollars a month, and my rent is $250, but I am still rich compared to others.

15% of children in Mississippi live in extreme poverty, you should ask them what it means.

Children's Defense Fund - Children In Mississippi 2012

If you would like to read more about poverty, you should read this:

The latest edition of UNICEF's report on child poverty in developed countries found that 30 million children in 35 of the world's richest countries live in poverty. Among those countries, the United States ranks second on the scale of what economists call "relative child poverty" -- above Latvia, Bulgaria, Spain, Greece, and 29 others. Only Romania ranks higher, with 25.5 percent of its children living in poverty, compared with 23.1 percent in the U.S.

The term "relative child poverty" refers to a child living in a household where the disposable income is less than half of the national median income.

...

"Basically, other countries do more," he said. "They tend to have minimum wages that are higher than ours. The children would be covered universally by health insurance. Other countries provide more child care."

CIA World Factbook - United States

The US has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $48,100.

Child Poverty

Nearly 15 million children in the United States – 21% of all children – live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level – $22,050 a year for a family of four. Research shows that, on average, families need an income of about twice that level to cover basic expenses. Using this standard, 42% of children live in low-income families.

Most of these children have parents who work, but low wages and unstable employment leave their families struggling to make ends meet. Poverty can impede children’s ability to learn and contribute to social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Poverty also can contribute to poor health and mental health. Risks are greatest for children who experience poverty when they are young and/or experience deep and persistent poverty.

Wealth report reveals richest states, poorest states

At the bottom is Mississippi with a staggering poverty rate of 21.3 percent. Mississippi also has the lowest median household income at $36,850

Obesity and Overweight Prevalence among a Mississippi Low-Income Preschool Population: A Five-Year Comparison

Mississippi, a southern state with the highest level of poverty, had the highest adult obesity rates in the USA at 33.8%. In addition, 44.4% of Mississippi children aged 10–17 years of age self-reported as overweight or obese in the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health versus the national rate of 31.6%. More recent measured estimates of Mississippi Kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) obesity and overweight rates in 2009 indicated a combined rate of 23.9%, not significantly different from the 2007 combined rate of 23.5%.

Malnutrition

It is possible to eat a diet high in calories but containing few vitamins and minerals. This means you can become malnourished, even though you might also be overweight or obese. Being malnourished does not always mean that you are skinny.

Poor and fat

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently published a study that found $1 could buy 1,200 calories of potato chips but just 250 calories of vegetables and 170 calories of fresh fruit. And it is also true that Mississippi, the poorest state in the country, is also the fattest.

In fact, the five poorest states are also among the 10 fattest, and eight of the 10 poorest states are also among the 10 with the lowest life expectancy.

I guess one could dismiss this as one big coincidence, but is it also a coincidence that half of the top 10 states with the highest median incomes are also in the top 10 in life expectancy?

...

just as there is a link between education and poverty, there appears to be a correlation between poverty and health.

ACT 2010 Condition of College & Career Readiness - Mississippi is ranked bottom in every category.

State Education Data Profiles - Mississippi is far below the national average.

Mississippi Losing The War With Obesity

The problem is most pronounced in the Mississippi Delta — the flat, fertile flood plain fed by the Mississippi River. It's a region with a history as rich as the soil, but with deeply rooted social problems.

In Holmes County, for instance, nearly half the residents live in poverty. And not only is it the state's poorest county; it's also the heaviest. Four out of 10 people in Holmes County are obese. And you see it all around — large kids lumbering to get on the school bus, patients spilling over their seats in the doctor's waiting room.

Dr. David Gilder in Tchula, Miss., frequently sees patients with problems related to obesity — diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure.

The Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity

Coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon), Hypertension (high blood pressure), Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides), Stroke, Liver and Gallbladder disease, Sleep apnea and respiratory problems, Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint), Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility).

Childhood Obesity Facts

Long-term health effects: Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for many types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, and prostate, as well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Diabetes Tops Child Obesity's Health Risks

Closely linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes was once so rare among children that it was called adult onset diabetes. According to the AAP Executive Committee on Endocrinology and doctors nationwide, health professionals are seeing many 12- and 13-year-olds with type 2 diabetes.

Doctors estimate that half of overweight kids will grow up to be overweight adults. Once they've been heavy for many years, experts say, they're at risk for diseases that doctors usually see in people in their 60s, 70s, and 80s.

Chronic Disease Fact Sheet

Cardiovascular Disease is the leading cause of death in Mississippi. 10,195 Mississippians died from CVD in 2007, accounting for 36% of all deaths.

Mississippi's CVD mortality rate is the highest in the nation, with a mortality rate in 2005 that was 25% higher than the U.S. as a whole. More Mississippians die each year from CVD than from all types of cancer, traffic injuries, suicides, and AIDS combined.

Diabetes is a major cause of morbidity, disability, and mortality for Mississippians and a major source of health care costs in the state.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): In 2007, the prevalence of hypertension was 33.7%. Approximately 725,000 Mississippi adults are estimated to have hypertension.

Of all states, Mississippi has the eighth highest percentage (19.3%) of adults 18 and over who reported no health care coverage.

Infant Mortality in Mississippi

Mississippi's average infant mortality rate has been around 10 deaths per 1,000 live births in recent years: one of the highest in the nation.

Leading causes of infant mortality:

-Birth defects

-Accidents and maternal difficulties

Protect your baby before it is born:

-Mothers should work to be in good health prior to becoming pregnant: address any chronic medical problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

-Get early and continuing prenatal care throughout the entire pregnancy, and follow the advice of your doctor.

Mississippi's Rising Infant Mortality Rate

For young women like Jemeika Brown, transportation is another problem. Now five months pregnant, she hitches rides to Medicaid appointments in Greenville, over 30 miles away.

...

Krystal was 17 years old then. Now she's 20, a mother of two, and seven months into a high risk pregnancy. She hasn't yet made it to Greenville to see a doctor. She can't afford the fare. She can't even afford a tombstone for her son.

Out of all the states Mississippi has the highest rate of poverty, the lowest income, the highest rate of adult obesity, the highest rate of child obesity, highest rate of teen pregnancies, the highest rate of deaths from heart disease, lowest ranked education system, and one of the highest rates of infant mortality.

These issues are all interrelated. Poverty is very "real" in this rich country with "the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world".

[Danno 1,228]

15% of children in Mississippi live in extreme poverty, you should ask them what it means.

Children's Defense Fund - Children In Mississippi 2012

If you would like to read more about poverty, you should read this:

Just take a minute and think of the logic in this-

"The term "relative child poverty" refers to a child living in a household where the disposable income is less than half of the national median income. "

Now don't you see the disadvantage the masses are at with this.... industrious people learn more, do more and earn more. Those who don't are income stagnant, but no matter, the more the industrious earn... the farther they have to drag the slackers to keep them at half the national average... less they be considered in poverty.

So in a nation or community of millionaires the poverty line would be $500,000 a year.

Look I get -everything is relative, the poorest family in Beverly Hills "Is the poorest family".

But the bottom line is what do the poor expect, this is your best benchmark about what poverty is in a given area.

In the USA, the expectation is "New Coats'.

A few years back I tried to donate a coat to a charity, they were having a coat-drive and since this coat had never once been worn but the tag had been removed, they declined it.

What can I tell you, it's American Poverty.

[rocks 494]

$500/year on a $100,000 home in low-cost states (Louisiana, Alabama, West Virginia, South Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi)

$500? It's 10% here...

Just take a minute and think of the logic in this-

"The term "relative child poverty" refers to a child living in a household where the disposable income is less than half of the national median income. "

Now don't you see the disadvantage the masses are at with this.... industrious people learn more, do more and earn more. Those who don't are income stagnant, but no matter, the more the industrious earn... the farther they have to drag the slackers to keep them at half the national average... less they be considered in poverty.

So in a nation or community of millionaires the poverty line would be $500,000 a year.

Look I get -everything is relative, the poorest family in Beverly Hills "Is the poorest family".

But the bottom line is what do the poor expect, this is your best benchmark about what poverty is in a given area.

In the USA, the expectation is "New Coats'.

A few years back I tried to donate a coat to a charity, they were having a coat-drive and since this coat had never once been worn but the tag had been removed, they declined it.

What can I tell you, it's American Poverty.

I'm not even going to read all of this garbage you just typed out. You have no clue at all.

Edited June 25, 2012 by rocks