Examples of The Issue

Unfortunately, there are plenty of examples of this issue and the effects it has on plenty of citizens. Eastern Kentucky has long been known for its poverty issues, stemming from a combination of economic, historical, and geographic factors. Firstly, the main issue causing this persistent poverty has been the economic decline. This region has heavily relied on the coal industry. Since this industry has faced a severe decline, so has eastern Kentucky's economic status. With this decline in the coal industry, it has also caused a major drop in unemployment rates. Many coal industry workers are struggling to find an alternative job that offers them the same wages and benefits. Another main issue is that educational attainment levels in Eastern Kentucky are often lower than the national average. Limited access to quality education can perpetuate the cycle of poverty, as individuals may not have the skills and qualifications needed for higher-paying jobs. Since many residents are in such a state of poverty, many can't afford the proper needs for healthcare, causing poorer health outcomes. This leads to higher medical bills, reduced workforce productivity, and increased financial strain on households. Efforts to address these poverty-related issues often require a multi-faceted approach involving economic diversification, education and skill-building initiatives, healthcare access improvements, infrastructure development, and targeted social support programs.


Sources:

 Lowrey, Annie. “What’s the Matter with Eastern Kentucky?” The New York Times, 26 June 2014, www.nytimes.com/2014/06/29/magazine/whats-the-matter-with-eastern-kentucky.html.

McCann, Adam. “2023’s Most & Least Educated States in America.” WalletHub, 13 Feb. 2023, wallethub.com/edu/e/most-educated-states/31075.  

Ellis, Ronnie. “Kentucky Poverty Rate Improving, Still among Worst Though.” Richmond Register, 13 Sept. 2018, www.richmondregister.com/news/kentucky-poverty-rate-improving-still-among-worst-though/article_71a9218b-3928-5ae7-b5e9-ce138c96678d.html.



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