November 2019

New study finds poverty cuts lives short locally

Poverty is the top health concern across urban, rural and suburban communities in the Finger Lakes region. More than any other single cause of illness, poverty drives health inequities that undermine wellness and cut lives short, according to an extensive new report by Common Ground Health.

“We’ve failed to understand the extent to which poverty deprives whole populations of vigor and longevity,” said Wade Norwood, CEO of Common Ground Health. “As much as we all talk about poverty, as much as we all talk about health, we’ve kept them completely apart.”

Findings include:

· The estimated cost of health inequity exceeds $1 billion annually for our region.

· More years of life are lost to health inequity than all forms of cancer combined.

· Residents of high poverty neighborhoods die eight years earlier on average than residents of low poverty neighborhoods.

· Compared to residents with household incomes over $75,000, those with incomes under $20,000 are 105% more likely to lose their teeth, 154% more likely to have diabetes, and 224% more likely to be diagnosed with depression.

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November 2019 Common Ground Newsletter

November 2019

New study finds poverty cuts lives short locally

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