Poverty and Health

The adverse effects of poverty on health are well documented and continue to be a major public health concern all over the world. Much of the early pioneering work in public health has its roots in the study of the health consequences of poverty. And, although poverty has long been known to cause numerous public health problems, billions of people globally continue to be affected by poverty. This entry examines the extent of poverty, its impact on health, methods for measuring poverty, and strategies for alleviating poverty and addressing the health needs of the poor.