Disabilities
Like many other individual traits, disabilities are not just a cause of poverty, but also are themselves partly caused by poverty. The current research in the field reflects this dual role of disabilities as one of the sources of inequality as well as one of its effects.
Sources of disability
Does lack of prenatal care substantially raise rates of childhood disability? Does childhood poverty raise rates of disability in adulthood? How much, for example, could diabetes-related disability be reduced if everyone had access to a healthy diet or to adequate medical care? Could a major reduction in asthma symptoms likewise be secured by improving medical care?
Effects of disability
"Congress acknowledged that society's accumulated myths and fears about disability and disease are as handicapping as are the physical limitations that flow from actual impairment." - William J. Brennan, Jr.How much discrimination is there against the disabled? What can be done to reduce such discrimination? How much poverty could be eliminated by better incorporating disabled workers in the workforce?
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