poverty

The 2016 viral photo of a couple passed out in a car while a child sits in the back seat triggered a painful moment of self-reflection in East Liverpool, Ohio. The community took steps to address its addiction problem, but progress has been spotty.

Health & Safety

'Nowhere To Go But Up ' — A Small Town Confronts Its Addiction Crisis

1:27pm December 15, 2018

by Ian Brown

Two years after East Liverpool, Ohio, gained notoriety from a viral photo of an overdosed couple, the community is coming to terms with its addiction problem — and taking tentative steps forward.

Drug addiction is a big concern to rural Americans, according to a new poll from NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

NPR Poll: Rural Americans Are Worried About Addiction And Jobs, But Remain Optimistic

4:36pm October 16, 2018

What's on people's minds in rural America? A new poll shows that the addiction crisis and economic issues have people worried. But many retain an upbeat outlook about the future of their communities.

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Portrait of a Man with Full Beard sitting in an Armchair holding a Glass of Wine

Science

Too Little, Too Much: How Poverty and Wealth Affect Our Minds

5:00pm October 04, 2018

We all know the downsides of being poor. But what about the downsides of being rich? This week, we explore the psychology of scarcity...and excess.

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News

New Food Bank CEO Looks At Big Picture Of Hunger In The Region

7:05am September 28, 2018

by Paul Garber

The area's largest hunger relief agency has a new leader. Eric Aft took over as CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina in July.

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According to the latest results from the Energy Information Administration, nearly a third of households in the United States have reported trouble paying their energy bills.

31 Percent Of U.S. Households Have Trouble Paying Energy Bills

8:20pm September 19, 2018

by Sasha Ingber

A report released Wednesday by the Energy Information Administration announced that African Americans, Hispanics and people with children were most impacted.

A man checks his phone to confirm that the charity GiveDirectly has transferred a cash grant to his account.

Which Foreign Aid Programs Work? The U.S. Runs A Test — But Won't Talk About It

7:37pm September 14, 2018

by Nurith Aizenman

USAID has launched a series of experiments to see how traditional aid compares to giving people cash. The first results are in. And they're proving controversial.

Environment

When Hurricanes Strike, The Poor Often Get Hit Hardest

3:21pm September 12, 2018

by David Ford

On Tuesday, Gov. Roy Cooper described Hurricane Florence as an extremely dangerous, life-threatening hurricane, and he urged those directly in the storm's path to evacuate.

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Nationwide Children's Hospital developed Career Gateway Homes, a combination low-income housing project and employment-training center.

Why Hospitals Are Getting Into The Real Estate Business

11:59am August 19, 2018

by Paul Chisholm

These days hospitals are looking for ways to improve health in their communities to prevent illness and control costs. One hospital in Ohio decided that health might start with affordable housing.

Politics & Government

Winston-Salem To Begin 'Think Orange' Campaign To Combat Hunger, Food Insecurity

4:38pm August 17, 2018

by Keri Brown

The City of Winston-Salem announced a new campaign Friday to help reduce hunger and food insecurity in the community. It's one of six cities selected to receive a federal grant known as

Politics & Government

Advocates Say Greensboro's New Panhandling Ordinances Are Still Problematic

4:05pm August 15, 2018

by Sean Bueter

Advocates for the homeless say the latest panhandling ordinances passed by the Greensboro City Council are still unconstitutional.