¹University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA

Correspondence: Dr D Vidyasagar, University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, 840 S Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. E-mail: dvsagarmd@yahoo.com

Received 3 April 2006; Accepted 5 April 2006; Published online 4 May 2006.

Abstract

Health professionals are in constant interaction with parents and infants who are victims of poverty and poor socioeconomic status. But an important question remains: do we know how to define poverty? Defining poverty accurately is important as the definition is the basis of policy development. The definition of poverty has changed during the last quarter century. In addition to economic considerations, it is broadened to include other dimensions of life such as literacy, health and longevity. This article attempts to provide national and international definitions of poverty, the magnitude and effects of poverty.