Trying to cut child poverty

from The Lethbridge Herald

By CAROLINE ZENTNER

The consequences of growing up in poverty last a lifetime.

Children from poor homes are less likely to continue their education, are more likely to be unemployed as adults and more likely to be affected by health issues such as depression, obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

Tackling child poverty in a proactive way makes for a healthier population and strong communities, says Stasha Donahue, health promotion specialist with Chinook Health.

“Poverty is such a diverse issue and the health region can’t work on it alone,” Donahue says, adding it affects schools, social services and crime prevention. “We really need those multi-sectoral partnerships to address poverty effectively.”

Children who live in poverty can’t learn properly, they don’t easily fight off infections and may fall behind in their school work as a result. Poverty can also contribute to behaviour problems.

Donahue helps communities identify child poverty and devise programs to tackle it. She starts by talking with community stakeholders such as a teacher or public health nurse to see if statistical evidence of poverty agrees with people’s perceptions.

If support exists, more stakeholders would be contacted to determine if the larger community agrees. If stakeholders are in favour of taking action in their community, Donahue would start by building awareness, perhaps through a conference, meeting with various community groups and working with local media. Creating coalitions and undertaking community action to reduce child poverty would follow.

“In essence, what we do is empower communities,” Donahue says. “We try to build the skills of families so they can mediate the effects of poverty.”

Communities, once the skills are in place, will then have the capacity and partnerships to sustain programs.

“It really is in their best interest to look at child poverty, just as it is for us as a health region,” Donahue says.

Tackling poverty can seem an overwhelming task and community development doesn’t happen overnight. Taking one step at a time and celebrating the successes, however small, are important to sustaining momentum.

“Pretty soon, it doesn’t look so insurmountable.”

Choosing not to tackle the issue can bring disasters in other forms, such as teen vandalism, gang activity and teen pregnancy.