KB+Literature+Review

A significant relationship has been identified between a child’s health status and their family income. Healthy People 2000 aimed to reduce health disparities among Americans. “Children who live in families headed by a single mother, Black children, and children living below 150% of the poverty index are much more likely to be in poor or fair health conditions compared with children in two-parent families, White children, and more affluent children”. Poverty has been identified as having the strongest effect on child health. Montgomery, L E, J L Kiely, and G Pappas. “The Effects of Poverty, Race, and Family Structure on US Children’s Health: Data from the NHIS, 1978 through 1980 and 1989 through 1991.” American Journal of Public Health 86, no. 10 (October 1, 1996): 1401–5. doi:10.2105/AJPH.86.10.1401.
 * Poverty and Public Health **

Findings have indicated that the national income level and income inequality are determinants of public health; however, not many have studied how the national income level, poverty, and inequality interact with each other to influence public health. (Note: This refers to a study preformed in Latin America.) Biggs, Brian, Lawrence King, Sanjay Basu, and David Stuckler. “Is Wealthier Always Healthier? The Impact of National Income Level, Inequality, and Poverty on Public Health in Latin America.” Social Science & Medicine 71, no. 2 (July 2010): 266–73. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.04.002.

Poverty and poor health are intertwined; it is a cycle – poverty causes poor health, and poor health keeps poor people poor. Surprisingly, publically financed health care fails to reach the poor in practically all developing countries; this deserves attention from governments and aid agencies. There is not sufficient knowledge about the importance of inequalities regarding the determinants of health and the use of health services. Inequalities in health are most likely a reflection of inequalities with regard to education, income, location, housing characteristics, etc. Therefore, policies directed towards addressing health sector inequalities should aim to reduce inequalities in the quality and availability of health services, and inequalities with regard to income, knowledge (especially health specific knowledge), accessibility of health services, the availability of safe drinking water, and sanitation. Health ministries should work closely with other ministries and broaden their perspective. Knowledge should be expanded regarding the impact of programs and policies geared towards health sector inequalities. ***Wagstaff, Adam. “Poverty and Health Sector Inequalities.” Bulletin of the World Health Organization 80, no. 2 (January 2002): 97–105. doi:10.1590/S0042-96862002000200004.

President Bush’s Faith-Based and Community-Based Initiative was predicative on the idea that many nonprofit organizations providing health and social services are professionalized agencies with close ties to the government. The involvement of faith-based organizations in providing services sparked the hope to involve new organizations independent of the government in service delivery. Nonprofit organizations have been a part of the ongoing debate in American politics regarding the proper role of the state. Nonprofit organizations offer the potential of local citizens assuming federal responsibilities without the distorting influence of the government, which is not ideal for policymakers that want to shrink the state and its role in society. In order for nonprofit organizations to be independent, they need long-term technical assistance, public and private funding, and government and local support. Smith, Steven Rathgeb. “Government and Nonprofits in the Modern Age.” Society 40, no. 4 (May 1, 2003): 36–45. doi:10.1007/s12115-003-1016-x.
 * Relationship between Government and Nonprofit Organizations **