Wednesday, September 22, 2010

What I learned today



My fellowship with LEND -- Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities --  is proving to be fantastic. Each hour of lecture and exercise is more interesting than the next, and I'm surrounded by an incredible interdisciplinary group of psychologists, neurologists, psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, dentists, administrators, Title V folks and parents. I'm so excited about it and will do my best to share bits and pieces as I go. Please know that I'm not going to post charts and statistics, except for a few -- the source of this information is an incredible faculty of physicians and professionals devoted and dedicated to improving the state of healthcare for children in this country, particularly those who are disadvantaged, live in rural areas and have developmental disabilities.

What struck me today were POVERTY STATISTICS and their close correlation with developmental delay and  disability -- and then further down the line, enormous economic loss. In other words, how much we, as citizens, land up paying when basic healthcare needs are not met.

1)Children in poverty in the United States: 18%
                          
2) Those state/cities whose politics are the most progressive have the LEAST poverty (San Francisco is one example). The Bible Belt -- the most politically conservative states -- have the HIGHEST POVERTY RATES.

3) Since Johnson's Great Society, poverty rates have risen during conservative/Republican eras and fallen during progressive/Democratic administrations with NO exceptions, EXCEPT for the over-65 year old group. Why do you think?

MEDICARE
chew on that for a while

4) The moral imperative of PRIMARY CARE PREVENTION AND SOCIAL SAFETY NETS

5) Poverty is one of the strongest indicators for developmental disability.

There's my spiel. Stay tuned.

16 comments:

  1. Geez.
    Hey girl, do you still want to do corner view? We are updating the list. Please let me know either way. Thanks so much.
    Theresa

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  2. I am kneeling at the foot of your soap box.

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  3. That's me right beside Ms Moon!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  4. "Poverty is one of the strongest indicators for developmental disability."

    So Pearlsky would be normal if I were richer? Hmmm, can I blame it on the alimony ...

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  5. Preaching to the choir here (in a good way).
    How I'd love to be fly on the wall at those lectures. Just did a poverty workshop a few weeks ago.

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  6. You are a formidable conduit for some very important information. I will most definitely stay tuned. Oh--and did I mention that you are awesome!

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  7. Single Dad -- I probably should have clarified by saying that those in poverty are at special risk for developmental issues.

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  8. The statistics say so much here, Elizabeth. Free and equitable health care is essential for all.

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  9. ... and those with developmental issues are at special risk for poverty.

    I am so happy that you get to do this program! Sounds like an incredible opportunity, and it's right up your alley.

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  10. WOW.
    And, so excited for you that it is a fantastic and interesting fellowship.
    Staying tuned!

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  11. @Erika Or at least their parents are. Not living in the US I have to cringe at what passes there as healthcare.
    Guaranteed healthcare, like in west-european conuntries, may not be viable in a country as humungous and complicated as the US where such extreme differences of wealth, topography and weather(natural disasters) exists.

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  12. Challenging statistics here! I am sure they are indicative of conditions in other countries!

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  13. I was thinking about this the other day. Poverty destroys people, not only physically but emotionally and spiritually as well.

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  14. I'm so happy and excited for you to have this opportunity. It seems tailor-made for you. I WILL get back to you about what you wrote a while ago - we have had a houseguest (wonderful) and NO time to myself. xoxoxo

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  15. What an important voice you and the other parents bring to the mix of professionals participating.

    It sounds thought-provoking and exciting. Hope to hear more as you go along. xo

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