“The destruction of the poor is their poverty.”

-Proverbs 10:15b (King James Bible, 1611, Public Domain)

“The leading cause of illness is poverty,”

-World Bank [8]

Poverty or lack of what is essential to resolve a situation critically essential to health.

Health, which is akin to the word “peace” which in Hebrew is “shalom” means “nothing missing, nothing broken”. Put in other words is having everything necessary to not only to sustain life but also to flourish. [10]

Poverty is not just the lack of money, which is a medium of exchange for goods and services. It is also the lack of knowledge, skill, and social connections.

Isolation is a form of poverty. Unfortunately, this is one of the fastest growing forms of poverty in our society. Technology, albeit used improperly, has fueled isolation. Having several “connections” through our social media platforms has not addressed social isolation. In fact, social media has increased our imposture syndrome, presenting ourselves to represent one thing when we are someone else. The imposture syndrome further drives social wedges between us.

Social isolation breeds hopelessness, which is at an all-time high. [1] Hopelessness is the basic ingredient for suicide. [3] It is also the substrate for anger, hostility, division, etc. [4] Anger which drives rage is the substrate for homicide, mass killings, etc. [5]

We were designed for connection. First, a spiritual, God-connection. Second, we function best when we connect with others. Having unity of purpose, vision, commonality of mission is central in mobilizing other resources that mitigate other forms of poverty, educational and financial advancement.

How do we address poverty?

The short, effective answer is with a multi-modal approach. We address poverty from a spiritual, educational, social, financial, and institutional approach.

“Let there be peace on earth and let it (peace) begin with me. [2]”

We must be at peace with ourselves. But I postulate we will not be at peace with ourselves until we meet our Creator, the Prince of Peace (Sar Shalom). Achieving peace is not a moment in time, but an ongoing life journey. Meeting our Creator, our originator helps us meet our purpose, catch vision, be empowered with a personal mission whereby we will be able to partner with others.

Imago Dei, the ability to see the image of God in others. [7]

Our pursuit of meaning, spiritual journey by nature requires meaningful connection with other human beings. These connections take the shape of family (birth or chosen), tribe, village (community), regions, nations, and global community. This continuum involves the transmission of knowledge, skill, sharing of resources; educational, financial, etc. A breakdown anywhere along this continuum results in poverty. [9]

Infrastructures codify the values, mores, cultural norms, and traditions deemed foundational to our relationships. Infrastructures include educational and governmental, political, commercial, industrial, non-profit, and financial institutions and organizations. Infrastructures ensure the transmission of our values to generations, individuals who will carry on our values long after we are deceased. Through relationships, we establish institutions and build infrastructure through institutions.

Breakdowns in relationships, institutions, and infrastructure result in poverty.

Poverty results in illness.

Address illness by addressing poverty, in all its forms.

References

1. Health and Well-being. Global Health Observatory. World Health Organization, 2024. https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/major-themes/health-and-well-being
2. Song, “Let there Be Peace on Earth”, 1955. Purportedly written by Evelyn Merchant, aka. Jill Jackson- and Sly Miller.
3. Kuo WH, Gallo JJ, Eaton WW. Hopelessness, depression, substance abuse disorder and suicidality. A 13-year community-based study. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, June 2004;39:497-501.
4. Spicer J., Hong B. Interpreting coronary-prone behavior: Relationships among Type A behavior, hopelessness, anger management and social contact. Psychology & Health, 1991;5(3):193-202.
5. Fernandez E, Callen A, Johnson SL., et. al. Prevalence, elicitors, and expression of anger in 21st century mass shootings. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 2020 Nov.-Dec; 2020:55, 101483.
6. Alsan MM, Westerhaus M, Herce M, et. al. Poverty, Global Health, and Infectious Disease: Lessons from Haiti and Rwanda. Infectious Disease Clinic of North America, 2011 Sept; 25(3):611-622.
7. Olariu D. Thomas Aquinas’ definition of the imago and the development of lifelike portraiture. Bucema, 2013;17(2), 12351
8. The World Bank. Poverty and Health. Brief, 25 Aug 2014.
9. American Association of Family Physicians. Poverty and Health- The Family Medicine Perspective (Position Paper), 2022 Jan.
10. Bar E. Hebrew Word Study: Shalom. https://eitan.bar/articles/hebrew-word-study-shalom-peace/, Accessed 11 May 2024.