The Negative Impact of Poverty on the Health of Women and Children

Author(s):

Catherine Ngoma and Sebean Mayimbo*

This article is based on “The Negative Impact of Poverty on the Health of Women and Children” and discusses the association between poverty and poor health. Poverty is high on the international development agenda. World conferences and summits have paid attention to the increasing levels of poverty of billions of the world’s peoples. The poor die in young age and they usually suffer from communicable diseases, maternal and perinatal conditions, and nutritional deficiencies. They are not only at risk from diseases of the poor but they also suffer from lifestyle health problems that are often found among affluent communities. Unfortunately, in many communities, the most affected are women and children.