The Effects of Poverty on Child Health

Of the 2.2 billion children in the world in 2005, almost half lived in poverty, according UNICEF when stating the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals. Though the manifestation of poverty is different around the globe, children are much the same everywhere. They are resilient, but the long-term effects of poverty on many children can be debilitating and lasting. Eliminating or alleviating child poverty will take the combined efforts of governments, organizations and individuals.

Physical

• Some children are homeless, with or without their families.

  Poverty can have profound effects on the physical health of children. As of 2011, 22,000 children a day die from diarrhea worldwide, often due to limited access to clean water. Poor nutrition can stunt physical and mental growth in a child, as can exposure to refuse, waste, chemicals and substances like lead paint. However, in a safe environment, within a caring family and community, and with food and opportunities available, even a child raised in poverty can thrive.

Mental

• Sometimes it is difficult for children to deal with their situation.

  A child's mental health can be affected by certain factors in their lives, such as nutrition, exercise, housing and education. Children who live in poverty sometimes have limited access to one or more of these necessities, and this can cause mental health problems. Depression can also be a factor in children's mental health, though sometimes they express this in different ways than adults. Children who grow up in violent environments as a result of poverty and lack of choices can also display symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress syndrome.

Educational

• Games and toys can keep almost any child absorbed.

  In some parts of the world, primary school education is not free and some families do not have enough money to send their children to school. This can extend the poverty cycle when the children do not have enough education to find well-paying work when they are adults. In addition, poor nutrition is often the cause of some children's inability to pay attention in school or to grasp some concepts. Young children who go without meals have a much more difficult time concentrating, according to the American Psychological Association. Schools in some parts of the world, including the United States, provide meals for low-income children for just that reason.

Long-term Effects

• Older children sometimes can make their own opportunities.

  The long-term prospects for children raised in poverty depend a lot on their environments and opportunities. Whether the poverty is situational or endemic can also be a determining factor. "Rags-to-riches" stories, like those of Horatio Alger or Oprah Winfrey, are a staple of societal lore in the United States. Similar stories can be found across the globe, though they are usually the exception, not the rule. Still, a childhood lived in poverty does not always mean an adult life of poverty. Parents, schools, communities, organizations and governments should all have a place in ensuring that children get the best start in life possible.