Poverty |
Research in the EPH department considers poverty as both a cause and a consequence of disease and illness. Poverty creates ill-health because it forces people to live in dangerous environments. Our research projects examine the links between clean water, adequate sanitation and other environmental risks and health. Poor individuals and groups are further deprived of the information, money or access to health services that would help to promote health and prevent and treat disease. In turn, disease and illness traps them in poverty. The costs of medical consultation, drug treatment and transport to reach a health facility can be devastating. In the worst cases, the burden of illness may cause families to sell their property, take children out of school to earn a living or even start begging. Missing out on education has long-term implications for opportunities later in life and for people’s own health. EPH projects examine many of these aspects, especially with regard to malaria, HIV/AIDS and neglected diseases in urban and rural settings.