Urban Poverty: An Urgent Public Health Issue

Mercado, Sophia; Havemann, Kirsten; Sami, Mojgan; Ueda, Hiroshi

doi:10.1007/s11524-007-9191-5

Cited by 34 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(3 reference statements)

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“…In the Hospital Hill, Riverlea and Bertrams communities, for example, this study has shown high levels of community experience of violence, yet little action has been taken in this regard by local health departments, even though the literature suggests that even modest reductions in violence in dangerous neighbourhoods will be of considerable health benefit to children (Edwards & Tsouros, 2006). As far back as 1996, the issue of violence was placed on the agenda of the World Health Assembly, when violence was declared a worldwide public health problem (Mercado et al, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inequity in poverty: the emerging public health challenge in Johannesburg

Mathee

Harpham

Barnes

et al. 2009

Development Southern Africa

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In 2005, in recognition of the role of social factors in increasing health inequities, the World Health Organisation established the Commission on the Social Determinants of Health. South Africa is among the most unequal societies in the world. It faces serious public health challenges, including an elevated burden of chronic disease, and high levels of violence. This paper presents data from a cross-sectional study of socio-economic and health status conducted in five Johannesburg housing settlements in 2006. The findings paint a picture of health inequities across and within the study sites, and socio-environmental conditions that undermine the prospects of protecting and promoting health. The authors suggest the need for a new approach to public health in areas of urban impoverishment in Johannesburg and elsewhere.Urban, health, poverty, inequity, public health, Johannesburg, South Africa,

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inequity in poverty: the emerging public health challenge in Johannesburg

Mathee

Harpham

Barnes

et al. 2009

Development Southern Africa

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show abstract

“…6 These informal settlements are hubs of deprivation, risky health behaviors, and environmental pollution, and people living therein are often systematically excluded from opportunities, capacity, and empowerment that would enable them to gain better control of their lives and health. [7][8][9] Young people in informal settlements face unique challenges as they transition to adolescence and adulthood in such a hostile environment characterized by high levels of unemployment, crime and substance abuse, poor schooling facilities, as well as poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes. 10 A recent report observed that urbanization and cities in Africa are not serving as engines of growth and structural transformation but are part of the cause and major symptom of the economic and social crisis that has enveloped the continent.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Provision and Use of Maternal Health Services among Urban Poor Women in Kenya: What Do We Know and What Can We Do?

2008

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In sub-Saharan Africa, the unprecedented population growth that started in the second half of the twentieth century has evolved into unparalleled urbanization and an increasing proportion of urban dwellers living in slums and shanty towns, making it imperative to pay greater attention to the health problems of the urban poor. In particular, urgent efforts need to focus on maternal health. Despite the lack of reliable trend data on maternal mortality, some investigators now believe that progress in maternal health has been very slow in sub-Saharan Africa. This study uses a unique combination of health facility-and individual-level data collected in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya to: (1) describe the provision of obstetric care in the Nairobi informal settlements; (2) describe the patterns of antenatal and delivery care, notably in terms of timing, frequency, and quality of care; and (3) draw policy implications aimed at improving maternal health among the rapidly growing urban poor populations. It shows that the study area is deprived of public health services, a finding which supports the view that low-income urban residents in developing countries face significant obstacles in accessing health care. This study also shows that despite the high prevalence of antenatal care (ANC), the proportion of women who made the recommended number of visits or who initiated the visit in the first trimester of pregnancy remains low compared to Nairobi as a whole and, more importantly, compared to rural populations. Bivariate analyses show that household wealth, education, parity, and place of residence were closely associated with frequency and timing of ANC and with place of delivery. Finally, there is a strong linkage between use of antenatal care and place of delivery. The findings of this study call for urgent attention by Kenya's Ministry of Health and local authorities to the void of quality health services in poor urban communities and the need to provide focused and sustained health education geared towards promoting use of obstetric services.

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“…The increased incorporation of community engagement and social participation in policy processes helps to ensure fair decision-making on health equity issues. And health is a rallying point for different sectors and actors -whether it is a local community designing a health plan for themselves (Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania's Healthy City Programme) or involving the entire community including local government in designing spaces that encourage walking and cycling (Healthy by Design, Victoria, Australia) (Mercado et al, 2007).…”

Section: What Must Be Donementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Health can be a rallying point for different sectors and actors -whether it is a local community designing a health plan for themselves (Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania's Healthy City Programme), enabling citizens to vote for priorities in local resource allocations for health (participatory budgeting in Porto Alegre, Brazil), decreasing dengue incidence (Marikina Healthy Cities Programme, Philippines), or involving the entire community in designing shared spaces that encourage walking and cycling (Healthy by Design, Victoria, Australia) (Mercado et al, 2007). Involving key people and institutions and reaching beyond government to involve civil society are vital steps towards integrated action for health equity.…”

Section: Beyond Governmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

From the Editor-In-Chief

Shamian¹

2016

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Urban Poverty: An Urgent Public Health Issue

Cited by 34 publications

References 15 publications

Inequity in poverty: the emerging public health challenge in Johannesburg

Inequity in poverty: the emerging public health challenge in Johannesburg

Provision and Use of Maternal Health Services among Urban Poor Women in Kenya: What Do We Know and What Can We Do?

From the Editor-In-Chief

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