Patients Dealing with Poverty Essay

scantness affects al more or less half(a) the world. Over tierce billion stack live on less than $2.50 a mean solar day (Global Issues). The United States, one of the wealthiest nations in the world, accounts for almost 12% of these statistics. In auxiliary to these people, a nonher 50 million be near need level. even kayoed more alarming, according to the 1999 Census Bureau, over 16% of all children in the United States live in distress verse the recorded 12% of adults (Yahoo Health). I chose to write close to people life sentence with mendi hindquarterscy because perfection has really placed the issue on my heart this grade. Last May, my develop lost his job and became homeless. I am happy to say he is now employed and looking for housing. After seeing the effects of poverty first hand, I befuddle felt tremendously compelled to reach out to those in need. I charter applied for an Episcopal Urban detain Program through AmeriCorps and if I am accepted, I will be w orking with them starting in August.God has really blessed me with a heart of compassion and understanding, and I want to use that gift to wait on others to the scoop up of my ability. impoverishment is a global issue that affects e real niche of our world. There atomic number 18 an endless amount of people anguishing in every county and numerous issues to be discussed. Because there be so many people affected worldwide, I am only going to focal point on the effects in the United States for this essay. So, what is poverty? Poverty sack be defined in several different ways. According to the US Census Bureau, poverty is measured in numbers. Any person living on a yearly income of $11,136 or under (add $2,820 for each surplus person in the household) is considered to be in poverty (US Census 2010). However, the cordial definition of poverty is any person living with a want of essential items such as food, clothing, water, and shelter (Think Quest). Minority racial and e thnic groups are much more likely to live in poverty.Also, poverty is much more prevalent in single, female-headed households (Yahoo Health). It is extremely essential to be educated about the kinds of people living in poverty, especially if you are a wellness complaint worker, because the effects of their financial status strikingly advert their well-being. Individuals living at or near poverty level suffer a variety of chronic ailments. They much have no wellness insurance so they rely on emergency rooms for care and often do not fill their prescriptions. They frequently postpone getting medical care due to lack of insurance and also have shorter life spans (Society of Teachers of Family Medicine). For every small decrease in income we see a signifi good dealt decrease in wellness outcome. Another big dread of poverty-level individuals is that they are more likely to smoke and to live sedentary lifestyles (Hope finished Healing Hands). In a study done in year two hundred 0, researchers found that more than one third of people living in poverty had a drug or alcohol fuss. Also, more than half (56%) of those studied reported not having enough to eat at one-time(prenominal) in the last year (Society of Teachers of Family Medicine).Lack of nutrition, for any period of time, can cause detrimental effects on the body such as weight loss, bone deterioration, and even death (Merck Manuals). Mental wellness issues such as depression and anxiety were also very prevalent in this study of poverty-stricken people. Something very interesting to me about this study is that in response to interview questions about issues in daily life, personal health and/or access to health care services were the third most commonly cited concerns (employment and housing were the top two concerns). Among these health concerns, costs and health insurance coverage were the biggest issues raised. Nearly half of Americans whose incomes are below cl% of the poverty level are without insurance coverage. In contrast, only about 40% of those with incomes below 100% of the poverty level are without health insurance (Society of Teachers of Family Medicine). This is due to the target income range of government programs.Federal and tell apart programs (such as Medicaid) help tremendously with insuring those at poverty level. However, there are many others considered the working poor who do not qualify for these programs. These people all too often have to choose between nonrecreational for meals and paying for health care. Those living in poverty that do have health insurance from government programs often have very hold coverage. Prescription medications and medical supplies (such as eyeglasses) are often not included. healthcare professionals often mistake those in poverty, especially those between the 150% 200% level range, as non-compliant patients (Society of Teachers of Family Medicine). Because people living in poverty often do not come in for preventative care, do not fill prescriptions, and fail to adhere to other recommendations, they can easily be mistaken for bad patients. It is a common misconception that they are ignorant to the grandeur of health care.It is imperative to understand that these individuals are doing the best they can with the finances and resources they have available. The main solution to health care problems those living in poverty face is a transfigure to our health care system. coverage needs to be available to all members of society for all health needs. As healthcare workers, we are not all called to be change agents in the world for this cause. However, we can educate ourselves to better understand poverty so we can deal effectively with those patients experiencing it. Americans almost always depend to be stateed of poverty in under-developed countries. They also seem to be well-aware that poverty causes poor health. Still, many in the U.S. remain unaware that this problem exists in our country as we ll (Hope by dint of Healing Hands). health care exitrs can communicate effectively with poverty-stricken individuals by showing a genuine desire to assist and serve them.Developing a whizz of empathy, not sympathy, for the person shows that you care for them rather than feel bad for them. It is important to understand that these individuals sense of time occurs only in the present. They rarely withdraw of the future or what effects their present actions might have on them later in life (TFC Association). They live for today because that is all they have. It is best to project kindness to these individuals, as with any group of people. Another very effective tool for helping those living in poverty is providing resources. Researching lay off or low-cost programs in your community and sharing them with these patients is a great way to help. Using appropriate humor is also a great way to lighten the mood and bring a smile to someones face that may be experiencing financial hardsh ips (TFC Association).There are so many problems poverty brings upon an individual. musical accompaniment with this burden can truly effect a person is so many ways. As a healthcare worker there is only so much we can do to assist people at these low-income levels. Although we can not provide a means for them financially or fix the living mail they are in, it is important to understand the impact we can have serious by being compassionate. If you work in an office with ignorance to this issue, it is vital to inform those around you about the effects of poverty on health care. in advance jumping to conclusions about a patient who is non-compliant, you may want to admit questions to find out if it is due to poverty. The key is to treat them with dignity and respect, disregarding of their social status, and you really will make a difference.Works Cited1. Poverty Facts and Stats Global Issues. Global Issues Social, Political, Economic and Environmental Issues That Affect Us bot h Global Issues. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. . 2. Poverty. Yahoo Health. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. . 3. Poverty Data Poverty Threshholds U.S Census Bureau. Census Bureau Home Page. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. . 4. Finding Solutions to Poverty. A Dollar a Day What Is Poverty? Web. 24 Mar. 2011. . 5. Understanding the farming of Poverty. Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. . 6. Poverty and Healthcare Fatefully Linked. Hope Through Healing Hands. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. . 7. Undernutrition Disorders of Nutrition and Metabolism Merck Manual Home Edition. Merck & Co., Inc. Is a Global Research-driven Pharmaceutical Products Company. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. . 8. Health Needs of People Living Below Poverty Level. Transplant Financial Coordinators. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. .