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07-20-2015 07:23 PM - edited 07-20-2015 09:42 PM
@NoelSeven wrote:Re:
"I just can't see cancer as a 'poverty issue' though. It's a disease that hits every socio-economic level and educational level."
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Hi LR, the article points out several variables where poverty increases the risk of cancer, and also reports that "Cancer rates are frequently higher where poverty is most concentrated, and eastern Kentucky is a case in point."
The lack of sufficient education is another variable.
Poverty increases numerous health risks for people in America. You might remember reports that came out a few months ago about poor children in the inner cities becoming very ill for life from lead paint where they lived and rented in poor areas.
I've heard about 'things' just about everywhere. What puzzles me is that growing up my family didn't have money. There was lead paint on objects and many things existed for everyday use that have since been banned due to health related issues. We never ate lead paint, walked to school and weren't abducted and harmed, didn't get sick from our toys and utensils or even food products. What is going on in Appalacia that hasn't happened just about everywhere else. Cancer does not play favorites. Prior to this board being changed, there was a thread on Appalachia around two years ago discussing their plight. It was determined that there has been county health officials and teachers informing the people and students of how they need to take some action for themselves. It fell on deaf ears it seems.
07-20-2015 07:37 PM
Interesting article. I have long been fascinated with Appalachia and like to read books - nonfiction about and fiction set in Appalachia. The surface or Mountain Top Mining and what it has done to the beautiful environment makes me sick.
@ tansy, you mentioned a book series or title? Can you tell me title(s) and/or author? I've read several too but would have to go to where my log my books to get names.
07-20-2015 07:48 PM
I've seen those documentaries on PBS and yes these people and poor people everywhere in the US have been pretty much forgotten. I think help should begin at home, but people with means and the talent to heal, will fly half way across the world to adopt and heal when our own people have the same needs. I believe suffering is suffering, but we need to fix what's wrong here before we fix the rest of the world.
07-20-2015 07:53 PM
LR, I agree cancer does not play favorites, but the risk factors are greater with some groups, not always poverty.
Cancer clusters were identified years ago where people had been exposed to things like toxins. There was a cancer cluster in wealthy Marin County, a breast cancer cluster.
It's all based on stats, when people in certain groups have a higher rate than other areas, and this is what's being said about those in extreme poverty in Appalachia. The thinking behind it is those factors are poverty variables such as inadequate eduacation and poor nutrition.
07-20-2015 08:13 PM - edited 07-20-2015 08:14 PM
07-20-2015 08:18 PM
@MrsSweetieBear wrote:Interesting article. I have long been fascinated with Appalachia and like to read books - nonfiction about and fiction set in Appalachia. The surface or Mountain Top Mining and what it has done to the beautiful environment makes me sick.
@ tansy, you mentioned a book series or title? Can you tell me title(s) and/or author? I've read several too but would have to go to where my log my books to get names.
Anything you can recommend
@MrsSweetieBear? I'm up for a nonfiction title......
07-20-2015 08:25 PM - edited 07-20-2015 08:25 PM
RedTop, thank you for such an informative post!
To clarify, the area in the report is speaking about the Appalachian area in Kentucky, an area where the people are extremely poor and which is a cancer cluster (higher than normal rate).
I don't remember the specific geographical area documented in the PBS report, but I remember the visuals inside the homes which were as you described in the WV area you are familiar with, and it did show a mother giving a baby a bottle of Mountain Dew, which is not to say we can assume most homes are like that.
Every documentary I saw stressed the wide-spread lack of health care, which obviously is a deciding factor.
07-20-2015 08:39 PM
Well here goes - I will probably be poofed.
I worked for the City of Philadelphia after graduating college. My job was to work with people on welfare.
Several years ago a promininent and very rich person said he did not worrry about poor people because there is a safety net in this country. Nice thought but I think he was very very wrong.
Many people think the poor are getting free everything - money, educaton, food, etc.
But they have never been to the areas so I haven't a clue how they come up with their (seems to me) false opinions/impressios..
I found the poor live really really badly. You do not want to know the things I saw. They are unemployable because they don't know how to dress or interview. They have no skills. They have no confidence. If society keeps telling you you are worthless because you are "taking" not "earning" you eventually believe it. Yet some people in the US rail time and time again about welfare. That they work so why cannot the people on welfare go to work even it it is in Burger Ba&f.
So the "safety net" has big big holes. And there are loads of unsympathetic people in the world - they have the attitude "well I worked hard to get where I am why should I help any one else - let them work too."
Next tine you hear someone spout off about the poor - think - where have they gotten their opinions. Do they really know what they are talking about or are they just spouting what they have heard other people say.
I worked there for 2 years. (I got married and relocateed. Luckily I found computers.) While I am certainly not an expert, at least I have some small foundaton for my beliefs.
And yes, I am a bleeding heart liberal.. If I wasn't bfore, that job made me one.
07-20-2015 08:44 PM
Thank you, amaivy, I agree with you, I've seen it also.
07-20-2015 09:06 PM
@NoelSeven wrote:
tansy, I remember that report on tooth decay and parents giving almost babies Mountain dew!
The article highlights the need for education, I know there's a group trying to change the habit of drinking soda all the time.
I remember reading an article about the pop/soda problem. They said people buy soda with their food stamps and trade it for pills or money. Makes me wonder why that beverage is so prevelant there? To have such a currency?
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