Jennifer R. Curry, Ph. D.

Physical

Social

Spiritual

Cognitive

Those living in poverty:

Have higher than average child and maternal mortality (poor prenatal care)

Limited access to health care and higher levels of disease

Reduced labor productivity

Lower educational attainment and less career/earnings stability

(World Health Organization)

High density (fat), low nutrition

Diabetes, higher blood pressure, cardiac disease

Obesity coupled with malnutrition

Lack of exercise (fewer green spaces—safety issues)

Compromised immunity

Poorer concentration, focus, memory

Food Deserts

Lower graduation rates

Lower college matriculation, need more resources (remedial courses, first generation, financial constraints)

Lack of enrichment experiences in the home and community

Programs easily cut during financial hardship

Fewer rigorous courses to prepare students in poverty with self-regulation mechanisms

42 million Americans live below the poverty

level

According to the U. S. Census, in 2010 there

were nearly 48 million people between the

ages of 18-64 who did not work one week the

entire year

22% of children live in poverty (22,050 for a

family of four)

There are approximately 1,115,000 children in Louisiana

27% of children in Louisiana live in poverty

12.3% live in extreme poverty (the equivalent of $1.50 per person per day)

Nearly 40% of children in Louisiana are eligible for food stamps

Nearly 600,000 participate in free or reduced lunch school programs

Over 32,000 participate in Summer Food Service Programs

About 75,000 East Baton Rouge residents live in “food deserts,” or areas defined by poverty and poor access to supermarkets and large grocery stores (70802, 70805 & 70807)

39% kindergarten ready

Nearly 77.4% of fourth graders can’t read at grade level (slightly higher by 8th grade)

74.1% of fourth graders can’t do math at grade level (slightly higher by 8th grade)

Over 65,000 grandparents are raising children in Louisiana

67% graduation rate

10% of 16-19 year olds are not enrolled in high school

46% ready for post-graduate work

52% matriculate through their first year of post-secondary training/education

$17,299

$26,933

$36,645

$52,671

$-

$10,000

$20,000

$30,000

$40,000

$50,000

$60,000

High School Dropout High School Diploma Associate's Degree Bachelor's Degree

Who Makes the Money?2005 Average Income by Educational Attainment

Avera

ge Incom

e

Source: US Bureau of the Census, 2006

Nationally, around 7,000 kids drop out of school each school day

The cost to the nation for dropouts of the class of 2007 was $329 Billion!

The cost for our state over the lifetime for dropouts of 2007 is $5,872,465,040

Lower purchasing power for the nation, lower tax revenue for the states and country, lower productivity

This affects parks, recreation, social services, higher education, infrastructure, etc.

(Alliance for Excellent Education, 2007)

1. The likelihood of WAITING before

becoming pregnant

2. The likelihood that an individual will avoid

crime (e.g., Janis Joplin)

3. The likelihood that an individual will have

economic stability and independence from

govt. health care or public services such as

food stamps

4. Physical well-being

5. An individual’s contribution to society

through volunteerism & civic engagement