But nutrition isn’t the only area of concern when it comes to health risks and poverty. Also of concern is the diagnosis (or lack thereof) of life-threatening illnesses.
Think of it like this…if you’re struggling financially, you’re probably not going to buy health insurance. This means that you’re not going to see a doctor regularly. As a result, you’re going to miss out on routine health examinations. So things like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol won’t be caught. Medical treatment will take backseat to the fear of more debts and financial constraints.
Plus, those who live in poverty have higher rates of depression than those who are financially secure. In fact, this has been said to be the greatest health risk of poverty.
Research compiled through a 2011 Gallup poll concluded that nearly 31 percent of Americans who live in poverty are depressed. But only 15.8 percent of those not living in poverty have received this diagnosis. This means that if you’re poverty- stricken, you’re twice as likely to struggle with this debilitating issue.
This can create yet another round robin effect. In general, depression can put a damper on workplace productivity. So those in poverty can be knocked down even further when it comes to succeeding in a career and making life changes necessary to rise above poverty. (And that’s if they can keep even a job at all. Remember that those who are depressed are often unable to work.)
Further, statistics regarding other mental illnesses and poverty are alarming. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that when compared with those of the highest socioeconomic status, those of the lowest socioeconomic status are eight times more likely to develop schizophrenia. That’s a terrifying statistic. Add that to the expenses associated with treating a mental illness in general and this can make having the courage to seek help seem impossible.