Poverty

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• References

As we enter the holiday season, a time when all things seem possible for children, it seems appropriate that this issue of the Journal is focused on the international health care of children. Of particular interest to me is the role that poverty plays in relation to children’s health. Every year 6 million children younger than 5 years of age die as a result of hunger (CARE, n.d.). Furthermore, poverty is by no means confined to other countries. In the United States, nearly 13 million, or 18%, of all children live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level (defined as $20,650 a year for a family of four; National Center for Children in Poverty, 2007b). Sixty-one percent of Latino and Black children live in low-income families, compared with 26% of White children (National Center for Children in Poverty, 2007a). In my home state of New Mexico, more than half of the children (53%) live in low-income families compared with the national average of 39% (National Center for Children in Poverty, 2007c).

Poverty is not a new concept. Lyndon Johnson, in his State of the Union address on January 8, 1964, declared a “war on poverty” (Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, 2007). According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2006),

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• Carolyn Jaramillo de Montoya, MSN, CPNP, President and Fellow

the number of families living in poverty in 1964 was 15%. Following President’s Johnson’s initiative, the poverty rate for families began to decline, reaching a low of about 9% in 1978 and 1979. Since the late 1970s, the poverty rate for families has continued to rise, reaching the current rate of 12.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006).

As pediatric nurse practitioners, we see the effects that poverty has on children and their families on a daily basis. Many of us struggle with making health care decisions for children, knowing that our plan of care, which may include laboratory tests, medications, or even hospitalization, is beyond the financial capabilities of families without health insurance. In many parts of the United States, families face even more basic struggles, such as providing sufficient food on a regular basis. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (2007), approximately 11% of the population suffers from “food insecurity.”

What is the role of NAPNAP in relation to the overwhelming problem of poverty and hunger? As always, NAPNAP seeks to highlight issues affecting children, both in the United States and around the world. Many articles in this issue of the Journal are devoted to topics related to the health of children internationally. Our Global Health Care Special Interest Group actively works to address issues related to the international needs of children. NAPNAP continues to advocate for health insurance for all children in the United States by taking an active role in promoting the state Children’s Health Insurance Program.

What about this issue of poverty? According to Lyndon Baines Johnson, in his State of the Union Speech on January 8, 1964:

Poverty is a national problem, requiring improved national organization and support. But this attack, to be effective, must also be organized at the State and the local level and must be supported and directed by State and local efforts. For the war against poverty will not be won here in Washington. It must be won in the field, in every private home, in every public office, from the courthouse to the White House (Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, 2007).

It has been more than 40 years since President Johnson made these remarks. There is a popular bumper sticker that states, “Think globally, act locally.” Rather than being overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem, we should look at our communities and become involved in local efforts that are aimed at reducing hunger and poverty and empowering families. The time to act is now.

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References 

1. CARE. (n.d.). CARE facts about children and poverty. Retrieved August 3, 2007, from http://www.care.org/campaigns/childrenpoverty/facts.asp
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2. Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum. (2007, June 6). Retrieved August 4, 2007, from http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/archives.hom/speeches.hom/640108.asp
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3. National Center for Children in Poverty. Basic facts about low-income children. 2007;Retrieved August 3, from http://www.nccp.org/publications/pub_678.html
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4. National Center for Children in Poverty. Child poverty. 2007;Retrieved August 3, from http://www.nccp.org/topics/childpoverty.html
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5. National Center for Children in Poverty. New Mexico: Demographics of low-income children. 2007;Retrieved August 3, from http://www.nccp.org/profiles/NM_profile_6.html
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6. U.S. Census Bureau. (2006, September 6). Historical poverty tables. Retrieved August 4, 2007, from http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/histpov/hstpov4.html
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7. U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. (2007, June 1). Food security in the United States. Retrieved August 4, 2007, from http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/FoodSecurity/
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