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Breaking the Cycle of Poverty: The Key to Better Serving the Whole Child

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty: The Key to Better Serving the Whole Child . Mark A. Piasio, MD President Pennsylvania Medical Society. Economic status matters… . College-aged persons from lower income homes are: Less likely to finish high school Less likely to enter college

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Breaking the Cycle of Poverty: The Key to Better Serving the Whole Child

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  1. Breaking the Cycle of Poverty: The Key to Better Serving the Whole Child Mark A. Piasio, MD President Pennsylvania Medical Society

  2. Economic status matters… • College-aged persons from lower income homes are: • Less likely to finish high school • Less likely to enter college • Less likely to earn a bachelor’s degree When compared to other college-aged persons • The cards are stacked against them • Think about it: How many of your colleagues came from low income families?

  3. Specific ethnic groups affected most: • Because poverty disproportionately affects certain ethnic groups • There are fewer college graduates from those groups and thus… • …fewer physicians • African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and American Indians make up 25% of population… • …but only 7% of physicians and 6% of medical school faculty • Effect of poverty on whites is masked by high representation in college, professions

  4. What can we do about this? Doctors and Lawyers together can: • Put pressure on the public education system • Promote mentorships and career training • Invest in education grants and scholarships for low income kids • Work toward education loan forgiveness programs • Build a safety net for children

  5. PA Medical Society • Has established Task Force on Cultural Competency and Medical Diversity • Will look at ways to encourage youths from low income to pursue medicine as a career • Will explore strategies to make current physicians more aware of disparities • Cultural competence will make medical careers seem more accessible

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