Angel & Lein - Living on a Poverty Income: The Role of Non-Governmental Agencies in the Scramble for Resources

Arguments

• Looks at the effects of poverty on health and analyzes 2 case studies that illustrate the dependence of low-income families on secondary service providers (governmental sources + non-profit organizations)

• The formal social service safety net (governmental) for low-income families is precarious and unstable

• Many low-income families therefore depend on secondary service providers such as NGOs and other organizations for their health

  • However, these organizations have many disadvantages:

    • They function in ways that are ineffective or uncoordinated

    • They don’t have full responsibility

    • They don’t have enough resources to help those with more difficult/long-term problems

    • They may be biases towards certain types of clientele