One of the most terrible side effects of living in poverty is loneliness and isolation. These two things stem from a lack of funds to participate in activities or lack of transportation, from a feeling of being judged, and from the constant focus on finding a way to survive that poverty necessitates.
And loneliness has physical side effects: high blood pressure, obesity, and lack of exercise. It can actually increase the aging process. People who live in a constant state of loneliness have higher mortality and morbidity rates. A lot of this is tied into depression and the feeling that…
Companionship can work wonders
