Nov. 10, 2011

The number of United States citizens classified as poor hit a record 49 million in 2010, 16 percent of the total population, announced the U.S. Census Bureau this week. Under a broad new measure intended to supplement the official standard, poverty is classified at or below an annual income of $24,343 for a family of four, compared with $22,113 under the earlier measure. To determine the new thresholds, the Bureau included housing and household expenses, medical costs, regional differences in the cost of living, and such government benefits as food stamps. (To fight hunger and to improve the diet of Americans, the U.S. Department of Agriculture runs the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–formerly the Food Stamp Program–which helps needy people purchase food.) 

Out-of-pocket expenses for medical are a major factor in poverty among the elderly. © Photodisc/Getty Images

The greatest increase of poverty occurred among people aged 65 and older. Roughly one-in-six senior citizens, or 15.9 percent, is now officially living below the poverty line. According to officials, the primary cause is out-of-pocket medical expenses, including premiums and co-pays from Medicare. Advocates for the elderly are currently lobbying against congressional measures to cut Medicare funding as a means of bringing down deficit spending and the national debt.

Additional World Book articles:

• Standard of living
• Welfare
• Health Care Reform: What’s In It for You (a special report)