Poverty and health in rural districts of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg

Abstract

"Within the framework of the DFG (German Research Foundation) project 'Health and daily ways of life in north-eastern rural German communities'/Rural health study LGS' (Gesundheit und alltägliche Lebensführung in nordostdeutschen Landgemeinden/Landgesundheitsstudie LGS), a DFG project carried out at the university of Neubrandenburg, the way in which the residents deal with the changes in social structures (changes in agricultural production, East-West transformations, peripherisation) in their everyday lives and with health issues is studied from a longitudinal perspective. <br>In the LGS, the health and the health-related behaviour of adult residents in 14 representatively chosen rural test areas of northern Germany are analysed by census, among other things via a questionnaire. This took place in three waves 1973 (N = 3,510), 1994 (N = 2,285) and 2008 (N = 1,246). By means of an estimation procedure based on income class in relation to equivalent income weighted according to need, the poverty risk quota (according to the EU, defined as being below the 60 per cent median value) as well as social and health correlates were calculated for the last two waves.<br> Under partially distinct variations between the individual locations, a total poverty risk quota of 19.4 per cent resulted for 1994, and for 2008 18.4 %. Along with the lowest school-leaving qualifications and occupational positions, middle-level qualifications and positions were also linked overproportionally to income poverty respectively. According to these findings, it is not the much-cited 'precariat left-behind', old people or - on their own -- large families who form a significant group among 'the poor' but rather - along with those without a job -- the 'core groups' of society, that is, people in employment.<br> We were surprised that the differences in health status and satisfaction with health were less strong or distinct than we had expected. Clear differences between 'the poor' and 'those who were not poor' as well as between the upper and lower income quintile were shown in general satisfaction with life and in other areas of daily life, most strongly in satisfaction with their work situation and their financial situation.<br> Finally, the paper reflects limitations and areas where further research is necessary, in particular on the questions of the effect of the regional context on the way the actors interprete the structural characteristics of their daily life and can use them as resources with which to deal with poverty or their health situation or see these as a restriction in realising a 'healthy way of life'." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku)

Cite article

Elkeles, T., Popp, M., Hinz, E. & Röttger, C., Paulitschke, M. (Mitarb.) (2012): Armut und Gesundheit in ländlichen Gemeinden Mecklenburg-Vorpommerns und Brandenburgs. In: S. Kreher (Hrsg.) (2012): Von der "Leutenot" und der "Not der Leute" : Armut in Nordostdeutschland, p. 269-303.