Poverty
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AIDS Committee of Toronto 


Poverty


Over the past two decades, the percentage of women living in poverty has steadily increased. As of March 2002, about 2.8 million adult women live below Canada’s ‘low-income’ cut off point (this is the point where basic necessities such as food and rent use up almost all of their income)..

There is an obvious link between poverty and poor health: poverty can lead to poor health through lack of food, access to affordable housing, and access to medications. In addition, women and their children who are poor are more likely to be socially isolated. This also contributes to ill health. (Women’s Health Clinic)

A woman living in poverty may feel it necessary to remain in unhealthy relationships with partners (as their partners may contribute financially to household expenses), sell sex for income, engage in illegal activities or hold two or more low paying jobs just to make ends meet. Not only do the effects of poverty place women at risk for HIV but also they seriously compromise the ability of a women living with HIV/AIDS to set healthy boundaries, practice self-care or follow her HIV treatment regimen.





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