Insights on Southern Poverty

• Appalachians are both less healthy and poorer than other Americans. • There are strong indications that poor health may have its roots in childhood poverty, starting before birth, rather than simply the effects of currently living in poverty. • This indicates that it could take decades to eradicate adult health disparities between Appalachia and the rest of the country. • There is not enough research to assess how parental income and its effects on child health translate into intergenerational poverty. • However, since both smoking and obesity contribute to poor fetal and infant health, policy targeted at preventing these conditions could alleviate future health and income disparities.