While it is widely known that destitute communities suffer from harsh living conditions, many are unaware that 712 million men, women, and children are classified as poverty-stricken globally, living off less than 2.15 USD per day. Additionally, people in poverty are much more vulnerable to diseases and viral spread. The many factors that greatly increase less fortunate families’ and communities’ chance of contracting diseases and viruses include the lack of accessible healthcare, malnutrition, overcrowding, and inadequate health education.
Terribly, according to the World Bank, 400 million people do not have access to even the simplest forms of healthcare, and annually, 100 million individuals are forced into poverty due to healthcare’s exorbitant costs. Furthermore, studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic show that mortality rates in lower-income communities are nearly double the mortality rates in wealthier neighborhoods. These are horrible but indubitable facts. Though communities with abundant poverty should be where healthcare is focused as they are most prone to diseases, services are often too far away or too expensive. This increases the chances of a viral outbreak because doctors cannot distribute vaccines or prevent the virus from spreading in other ways in these communities or families.
Another reason that people experiencing poverty are more at risk of catching viruses or developing diseases is due to malnutrition, where 820 million suffer from it globally. With the inability to afford a sufficient amount of nutritious foods, their bodies do not have enough resources to keep the immune system effective and efficient, increasing the body’s susceptibility to catching illnesses and being unable to fight back. This is proven by the statistic from the Journal of Nutrition and Public Health that states that 45% of child deaths under 5 are caused by malnutrition compromising their immune systems.
Lastly, poverty restricts the educational opportunities that are integral to disease prevention. From UNESCO’s reports 258 million children are unable to learn in school and among these children, they largely live in poverty-stricken communities. Attending school and learning about basic health prevention methods like washing hands before and after eating, covering a cough or sneeze, and wearing a mask are often great shields against viruses and disease. Additionally, poorer communities may not receive timely information about outbreaks, reducing their ability to respond effectively.
In conclusion, communities suffering from poverty are much more likely to be impacted heavily by illnesses and to catch viruses. Many poorer areas do not have access to hospitals or clinics, sufficient nutrients in their food, or education on proper hygiene. These unfavorable qualities create situations for communities in poverty where viral outbreaks can spread like wildfire.
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