Introduction
In the past decade, society has increased its focus on addressing social issues, particularly with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, further catalyzing this emphasis among researchers and practitioners alike. Poverty is pre-eminent among these social issues, exacerbated by the rising cost of living in the US (Ivanova, 2022). Addressing poverty and inequality in society is essential and could promote social cohesion and lead to better health outcomes, resilience, and social justice, among other benefits (United Nations, n.d.).
Motivated by this knowledge, this study will explore the complex and multifaceted impacts of poverty on physical and mental health. First, the paper will examine the historical context of poverty; next, it will explore its impacts on mental and physical health; and finally, it will review the services currently in place. Throughout the study, the focus will be on how poverty can both cause and result in physical and mental health issues.
Historical Context of Poverty
Although there are several definitions of poverty, many people define it as the inability of people to access and afford basic goods and services. The World Bank poverty line, as of 2011, was set at $1.90 a day, an increase from $1.25 in 2005 (Jolliffe & Prydz, 2016). During the pre-colonial period, poverty was widespread, and the ruling feudal systems controlled agrarian economies, leading to a disparity in wealth distribution. Some studies state that before the 19th century, the human population lived in extreme poverty (Jamey, 2018; Yelin et al., 2017).
For instance, it has been established that the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Rome all had to grapple with poverty, forcing rulers to employ rudimentary forms of welfare to assist communities. However, Sullivan and Hickel (2023) disagree with the notion and argue that their case is based on national accounts data and that most workers lived above the poverty line. Understanding poverty during the pre-industrialization era thus requires further research.
The revolutions forced governments in the industrialized world to provide new incentives, such as affordable housing for slum dwellers. The poverty of today differs from that of pre-colonial America. There were no safety nets that people are used to today. Additionally, poverty in post-colonial America was influenced by demographic factors such as race, ethnicity, and gender (Jamey, 2018). Today, poverty is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including education, health, IQ, and regional stability.
Effects of Poverty on Physical Health
Poverty directly affects individuals’ physical health by limiting access to food. A study by Chokshi (2018) shows a direct relationship among income, poverty, and health. Families with limited financial resources prioritize high-calorie foods, which negatively affect their physical health (Alqassim & El-Setouhy, 2022). Moreover, people limit their intake of foods associated with good physical health, such as fruits, vegetables, and proteins (Gofayl et al., 2019; Fitzpatrick et al., 2020). People in poor neighborhoods always grapple with logistical issues in their quest to access healthy food options. Moreover, poverty has been associated with access to crucial information and a lack of proper education on the best foods, which may result in poor physical health.
Poverty indirectly affects access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare services, which, in turn, affects individuals’ physical health. People without sufficient money or living in poor neighborhoods lack access to clean drinking water, which contributes to the high prevalence of tropical diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid (Knifton & Inglis, 2020). These diseases are often ignored, particularly in developing countries where deep inequality and exploitation prevail (Essex, 2018; Feasey et al., 2009).
Poverty-stricken zones have poor sewage systems, lack clean toilets, and have poor drainage, contributing to a high rate of communicable diseases (Vogel et al., 2022). People living below the poverty line prioritize other basic needs, such as food and shelter, over healthcare and, thus, are more likely to fail to seek timely medical interventions and, thus, have poor medical outcomes (NAMI, 2020). Therefore, addressing these three indirect causes among poor communities could improve their overall health.
Poverty is both a predictor and outcome of physical health issues that people face. First, as a predictor, people without enough disposable income lack basic health insurance coverage and the money to visit medical institutions, thus resulting in undiagnosed problems (NAMI, 2020). Additionally, good nutritious foods are expensive, and people living in poverty lack primary access to these diets, get limited medical care, and live in unsafe conditions, thus, a higher probability of poor medical health (Bilal et al., 2022). As a result, poor physical health causes people to incur substantial hospital bills, leaving them in poverty. Moreover, people who are physically unhealthy cannot work, thus leading to even more poverty.
The negative aspects of poverty on physical health influence an individual’s quality of life in various ways. Malnutrition due to poverty impairs children’s growth and weakens their immune systems (Kim et al., 2016). Poverty influences a person’s physical health by increasing their risk of developing chronic disease (Zhou et al., 2020). It is also associated with overcrowding and thus contributes to an individual’s development of an infectious disease (Bilal et al., 2022). These aspects make addressing an individual’s physical health necessary, and the goal can be achieved by fighting poverty.
Effects of Poverty on Mental Health
The relationship between poverty and health is complicated and is influenced by social, economic, and biological factors. Stressors that are brought on by scarcity of resources are contributors to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trauma can have physical and emotional consequences and, thus, is a significant contributor to individual poverty. Trauma is also associated with a range of physical health problems and challenges with maintaining interpersonal relationships.
Social determinants of deficiency, such as unemployment or lack of a home, are also associated with poverty, with homeless people being 40% more likely to be mentally impaired (Goodman et al., 2013). Adverse childhood effects such as abuse and neglect, which are common in poor neighborhoods, also contribute to the shortages (Santiago et al., 2013). Therefore, addressing the above scarcity metrics could reduce mental health problems.
The relationship between poverty and mental problems is cyclical in that it can cause or bring mental health problems as a predictor. Poverty results in stress among individuals, which triggers mental challenges such as anxiety, depression, and fear (Knifton & Inglis, 2020). It also makes people unable to attend medical sessions, thus exacerbating mental health problems(Thomas et al., 2020). As a consequence of mental health challenges, mental health issues make people have poor spending habits, be socially isolated, Abuse substances, and need to attend several medical sessions.
Poverty correlates with adverse childhood experiences, which include abuse, neglect, dysfunctional households, and substance use. These experiences have been associated with trauma and stress once a person becomes a grown-up over the long term, thus a predictor for mental health problems (Lee et al., 2020). The experiences also make an individual incapable of developing stable relationships, leading to stress. Adverse childhood experiences are associated with interpersonal violence and challenges in cognitive functions, all of which are determinants of poor mental health.
Mental health problems have a significant impact on an individual’s employment and their financial resources. Students with mental health issues are more likely to drop out and thus find it hard to gain employment (Chen & DesJardins, 2007). People with psychological problems under discussion are likely to have reduced work performance (NAMI, 2020).
Moreover, intellectual issues are associated with absenteeism, which entails missing work, and presenteeism, which relates to being present at work but not being active. The issues also make it difficult for individuals to collaborate with colleagues and to help clients effectively. These behaviors ultimately result in the individuals being terminated and, thus, the beginning of poverty. Addressing mental health is crucial as it ensures the well-being of the individual and their physical health and reduces stigma.
Supporting Resources for Those Facing Poverty and Mental Illness
Local community nonprofits and social work organizations help people struggling with poverty in various ways. Community organizations play an essential role when it comes to helping individuals living in poverty and those with mental challenges. Communal mental health clinics and counseling centers offer free counseling, therapy, and psychiatric care to those affected. They also seek to guide people living in poverty and having mental challenges to seek government assistance.
They are also a voice for society and seek to ensure that necessities, such as housing and food, are affordable (Wood et al., 2008). The community, along with peer groups such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness, understands that the stigma, which includes internalized shame, fear of judgment, and perceived discrimination, could make people avoid assistance. Together, these organizations ensure that such stigmas are avoided and that mental health counseling in government facilities is kept private.
As mentioned above, NAMI is one of the most influential nonprofit organizations supporting people facing poverty and mental illnesses. The organization was established in 1979 by a group of local individuals with genuine empathy to help those affected and their families (Phillips, 2020). The organization’s founders sought to increase public awareness of mental illnesses and provide services for those affected. Today, NAMI is one of the most prominent health advocacy groups in the United States. NAMI provides help in poverty-stricken areas by offering free mental illness counseling programs, seeking funding to help this problem from various organizations, and having its workforce build a more equitable mental health system.
Conclusion
This study has revealed a circular relationship between poverty and health. The study began by examining the historical context of poverty, where debate continues over the true extent of poverty during the pre-industrial era, thereby necessitating further research. The paper shows that there is a difference between the poverty experienced in post-colonial America and that experienced today. Its goals further prove the interrelation between poverty and health, both mental and physical.
It reveals that, despite the measures currently in place by local communities and social work organizations, more can still be done. Governmental bodies must do more to ensure that social safety nets are provided to all those affected. Physicians must be more culturally aware and empathetic when dealing with clients from poor backgrounds. By putting themselves in the client’s shoes, they will gain a nuanced understanding of the problems the client is experiencing and will be more open to sharing them.
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