Poverty & Healthcare, Are They More Connected Than We Think?

Money is the root of all evil, who the hell said that foolishness. Money is money and evil is the root of all evil, money doesn’t make good people bad.  When money ends up in the right hands it actually does a lot of good.  It is no secret that there is a strong correlation between health and money. People who live in poverty are more likely to experience poor health outcomes than those who have financial stability. This correlation between health and money is complex and multifaceted, and it is important to understand the ways in which poverty can impact health.

One of the main ways in which poverty can impact health is through access to healthcare. Between 2020 and 2022 I got pretty sick and I don’t want to imagine what would have happened to me or my loved ones if we weren’t able to afford me getting the help I needed. People who are living in poverty may not have access to quality healthcare services, which can lead to untreated illnesses and chronic conditions. Without proper medical care, individuals are more likely to suffer from health problems that can have a significant impact on their overall quality of life. Prevention is better than cure is something we say in Jamaica, I think the best way to prevent health problems is to go to the doctor regularly and do what you can to prevent issues from arising. 

In addition to lack of access to healthcare, poverty can also impact health through living conditions. People who are living in poverty may be more likely to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can lead to exposure to environmental toxins and increased risk of infectious diseases. Poor housing conditions can also contribute to mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.

Poverty can also impact nutrition and access to healthy food options. People who are living in poverty may not have access to affordable, healthy food options, and may rely on cheap, processed foods that are high in fat, sugar, and calories. This can lead to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions.

Furthermore, poverty can contribute to stress and mental health problems. There is no question on whether or not financial instability can have negative effects on your physical health, being stressed about money is worst than having too much money an being unhappy. Additionally, people living in poverty may be more likely to experience trauma, violence, and other forms of social and economic hardship, which can contribute to poor mental health outcomes.

We have to realize the relationship between poverty and health is complex and multifaceted. While poverty can contribute to poor health outcomes, poor health can also contribute to poverty. For example, individuals who are suffering from chronic health conditions may be unable to work or have limited employment opportunities, which can contribute to financial instability and poverty.

In conclusion, the correlation between health and money is undeniable. Poverty can impact health in a variety of ways, including lack of access to healthcare, poor living conditions, poor nutrition, and increased stress and mental health problems. Addressing poverty is an important step towards improving overall health outcomes and creating a more equitable society. But the question remains how do we do this? Our jobs dot pay us enough and they are also one of the main causes of our stress. Working too many hours, not being able to take days and not being able to afford a vacation is enough to cause major stress in our lives.

There needs to be a focus on job related illnesses and mental health before it's too late. We can't address poverty or health without addressing the complexity of the capitalist driven work world we live in.

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