To the Editor:
Since the 88th Congress passed the Economic Opportunity Act in 1964, there has been a rhetoric that the
War on Poverty is something that should not only be paid more attention to, but something that needs to
be dealt with thoroughly and systemically.
A study held by Massachusetts General Hospital strongly suggests that economic opportunity is correlated
with good health. Evidence has shown that mortality rates have been higher and risk factors, such as the
prevalence of hypertension or stress related to the immediate environment, were greater in areas with
the lowest levels of economic opportunity.
Economic opportunity, in this context, can be defined as an individual’s ability to access growth
opportunities such as education, job training, gainful employment, and sustainable wages, while
maintaining access to basic needs such as housing, food and clothing. Many anti-poverty measures enacted
have helped citizens but have failed to eradicate poverty. Improving economic opportunity serves all
citizens, as it encourages a stable and prosperous economy, while improving the overall health of the
country.
There are many ways to stimulate economic opportunity, but the most critical is ensuring that
infrastructure can support the needs of the population. Deteriorating schools fail our children,
transportation methods are inadequate, water systems in disrepair poison. These are all circumstances
that are easily preventable.
Congress must work for the people and fund infrastructure improvement projects, creating jobs in the
short term and fostering economic opportunity in the long term.
Baylee Valerius
Keyonte Ashford
Bowling Green