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Indicator Profile of Poverty in Children under Age Five YearsWhy Is This Important?Poverty affects many aspects of a child's life, including living conditions, access to health care, and adequate nutrition, all of which contribute to health status. Poverty during childhood puts children at increased risk for living in run-down or poorly maintained older (pre-1950s) housing, and this increases a child's chances of exposure to chipped and peeling lead paint. Deteriorating lead paint (chipping, flaking, and peeling) and paint disturbed during home remodeling contributes to lead dust, contaminates bare soil around a home, and makes paint chips and dust-containing lead accessible.Children are more vulnerable to lead poisoning than adults. The first six years, particularly the first three years of life, is the time when the brain grows the fastest, and when the critical connections in the brain and nervous system are formed. The normal behavior of children at this age - crawling, exploring, teething, putting objects in their mouth - can put them in contact with lead that is present in their environment.  Data SourcesUnited States Census Bureau;Other Graphical ViewsDefinitionNumber or percent of children under 5 years of age living in povertyHow We Calculated the Rates
Page Content Updated On 11/15/11,
Published on 07/19/12
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Department of Health P. O. Box 360, Trenton, NJ 08625-0360 Phone: (609) 292-7837 Toll-free in NJ: 1-800-367-6543 Our Locations |
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