Symbolic image of intertwined figures representing poverty and disability in a developing nation.

Unseen Struggles: How Poverty and Disability Intertwine to Create a Vicious Cycle

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring the critical links between poverty and disability in low- and middle-income countries, revealing the urgent need for comprehensive support systems."

Poverty and disability, often perceived as separate challenges, are deeply intertwined in low- and middle-income countries. This connection forms a vicious cycle where poverty increases the risk of disability, and disability, in turn, exacerbates poverty. Individuals facing both challenges endure compounded disadvantages, limiting their access to essential resources, opportunities, and overall quality of life.

The interplay between poverty and disability is not merely coincidental; it’s a systemic issue shaped by a multitude of factors. Limited access to healthcare, sanitation, and nutrition in impoverished communities elevates the risk of disabilities resulting from preventable diseases, injuries, and malnutrition. Simultaneously, individuals with disabilities often face discrimination, lack of accessible education and employment, and social stigmas that further entrench them in poverty.

Understanding the complexities of this relationship is crucial for developing effective interventions and policies. By addressing the root causes of both poverty and disability, we can create more inclusive and equitable societies where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. This article delves into the findings of a comprehensive review, shedding light on the critical links between poverty and disability and highlighting pathways toward breaking the cycle.

Why Does Poverty Increase the Risk of Disability?

Symbolic image of intertwined figures representing poverty and disability in a developing nation.

Poverty creates conditions that significantly heighten the risk of disability. Factors such as inadequate healthcare, poor nutrition, and unsafe living conditions play a direct role in increasing vulnerability to various forms of disability. Understanding these connections is essential for targeted prevention efforts.

In impoverished communities, access to quality healthcare is often limited or non-existent. This lack of access means that preventable diseases, which can lead to long-term disabilities, go untreated. For example, conditions like polio and measles, which are easily preventable through vaccination, can cause severe disabilities if contracted. Additionally, maternal health services are often inadequate, leading to complications during pregnancy and childbirth that can result in disabilities in both mothers and children.

Malnutrition: Lack of essential nutrients can impair physical and cognitive development, leading to disabilities.
Unsafe living conditions: Exposure to environmental hazards and lack of sanitation increase the risk of injuries and diseases.
Limited access to clean water: Waterborne illnesses can cause infections and disabilities, particularly in children.

Addressing these factors requires comprehensive public health initiatives that focus on improving access to healthcare, promoting better nutrition, and ensuring safer living environments. By prioritizing these areas, communities can significantly reduce the incidence of preventable disabilities and improve overall well-being.

Breaking the Cycle: A Call to Action

The interconnectedness of poverty and disability demands a comprehensive and coordinated approach. By addressing the systemic barriers that perpetuate this cycle, we can create more inclusive and equitable societies where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. It is crucial to advocate for policies that promote disability-inclusive development, ensuring that individuals with disabilities are not left behind. With sustained effort and a commitment to social justice, breaking the cycle of poverty and disability is within our reach.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204881, Alternate LINK

Title: Correction: Poverty And Disability In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: PLOS ONE

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Authors: Lena Morgon Banks, Hannah Kuper, Sarah Polack

Published: 2018-09-26

Everything You Need To Know

How do poverty and disability interact to create a vicious cycle in low- and middle-income countries?

In low- and middle-income countries, poverty and disability are deeply intertwined, forming a vicious cycle. Poverty increases the risk of disability due to factors like inadequate healthcare, poor nutrition, and unsafe living conditions. Conversely, disability exacerbates poverty by limiting access to resources, opportunities, and overall quality of life. This interplay is a systemic issue, where each factor amplifies the negative effects of the other, trapping individuals and families in cycles of disadvantage.

What specific factors related to poverty increase the risk of disability?

Several factors associated with poverty directly increase the risk of disability. Limited access to quality healthcare means preventable diseases, such as polio and measles, can lead to long-term disabilities. Inadequate maternal health services can cause complications during pregnancy and childbirth, resulting in disabilities. Malnutrition impairs physical and cognitive development, unsafe living conditions increase the risk of injuries and diseases, and limited access to clean water contributes to waterborne illnesses and infections that can cause disabilities.

Why is it important to understand the relationship between poverty and disability?

Understanding the complex relationship between poverty and disability is crucial for developing effective interventions and policies. This knowledge allows for addressing the root causes of both challenges, creating more inclusive and equitable societies. By recognizing the systemic barriers and interconnected factors, targeted efforts can be designed to break the cycle, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive. This understanding informs public health initiatives, disability-inclusive development, and social justice advocacy.

How can communities break the cycle of poverty and disability?

Breaking the cycle of poverty and disability requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. This includes addressing systemic barriers through disability-inclusive development policies. Specifically, communities must improve access to healthcare, promote better nutrition, and ensure safer living environments. Investing in public health initiatives, advocating for social justice, and fostering inclusive societies are essential steps. Sustained effort and a commitment to these areas can significantly reduce the incidence of preventable disabilities and improve overall well-being, ultimately breaking the vicious cycle.

What are the implications of limited access to healthcare on disability rates in impoverished communities?

Limited access to healthcare in impoverished communities significantly increases disability rates. Preventable diseases like polio and measles, which are easily addressed through vaccination, can cause severe disabilities if left untreated. Inadequate maternal health services lead to complications during pregnancy and childbirth, resulting in disabilities for both mothers and children. The lack of access to timely medical care means that conditions that could be managed or prevented in other settings often progress to debilitating stages, highlighting the critical need for accessible and quality healthcare to mitigate disability risks.