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An income at or near the poverty line is strongly correlated with a greater risk of many diseases. Some of the potential reasons are apparent, such as living in environments where it’s harder to exercise, lacking access to fresh fruits and vegetables, being unable to afford medications or having time off to see doctors. That doesn’t fully explain why those with less money are more likely to be smokers or unhealthy eaters or to make other choices detrimental to their health.
Research suggests there are hidden reasons. Living with adversity leads to chronic stress that can lead to depression and a loss of self-control. A paper published in the journal Science this spring posits that the worries associated with being poor may affect cognitive function; there’s just not enough brain space left to think beyond basics. Poverty may affect the ability to take on risk and look for long-term solutions to problems.
What do we know about the psychology of poverty, and how does it play out in homes, schools and in the healthcare system? What interventions work best to stem the cycle of poverty and ill health, and when do they need to begin?
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