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from the how-much-less-do-I-have-than-others dept.
Since social scientists and economists began measuring poverty, the definition has never strayed far from a discussion of income.
New research from Georgia Tech economist Shatakshee Dhongde shows there are multiple components of poverty that more accurately describes a household's economic condition. Dhongde looks at "deprivation" more than simply low income, and her work finds that almost 15 percent of Americans are deprived in multiple dimensions.
"This study approaches poverty in a new way," said Dhongde, who recently published "Multi-Dimensional Deprivation in the U.S." in the journal Social Indicators Research.
"We tried to identify what is missing in the literature on poverty, and measure deprivation in six dimensions: health, education, standard of living, security, social connections, and housing quality. When you look at deprivation in these dimensions, you have a better picture of what is really going on with households, especially in developed countries like the United States."
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Monday November 21 2016, @04:18AM
Why must I fund it? Why must it be a non-profit? For profit corporations aren't any better at fleecing the sheep than a non-profit. There are doctors and clinics scattered all over this nation. My county has a public health clinic, that is almost entirely funded by the state. Everything that PP offers is available at the clinic except abortion, PLUS, they are happy to treat children, men, elderly - pretty much anyone. Even I can walk into the clinic tomorrow morning, and talk to them about my petty little problems. I may have to wait awhile, because they are the busiest health care facility in the county, but they will be happy to see me!
(Score: 2) by Whoever on Monday November 21 2016, @04:48AM
Because there is a net benefit to society. This is such a basic concept. Taxes should be collected to benefit society.
Why should I fund a military? Why do we fund schools?
Actually, I agree that it may not need to be non-profit. The important part is that this kind of healthcare is funded fully (and not partially funded, so that there are co-pays that will discourage the very people you want to use the services).
But Planned Parenthood has the infrastructure and the ethos to provide the services in a cost-efficient manner. It's there today, whereas trying to go private would involve lots of contracts, contract negotiations, overhead, etc..