Poverty

I came across some interesting figures while doing some research for a Healthcare-related project.

As of 2005, 12.6 percent of the population had a family income under the poverty level. 17.6 percent of kids under 18 years old belonged to a family below the poverty level.

Shockingly, 34.5 percent of Black or African American kids under 18 years old were under the poverty level. This compares to 10.0 percent of White kids for the same statistical category.

On a semi-related note, John Edwards has little hope of actually winning the Democratic nomination. However, he is gathering delegates by consistently placing third in the Democratic caucuses. There is some speculation that he may act as a kingmaker when the Democratic convention comes around.

You may be wondering how this is related. Presumably, he will provide his delegates to the candidate that is willing to make fighting poverty a plank in their Presidential platform.

*The stats above are from the CDC’s Chartbook on the Trends in the Health of Americans, which is compiled from a variety of sources.