Further attention has been focused on ALICE following the morale-boosting demonstration by the Rally of Poor and Low Wage Workers in Washington, DC, last week.
No, that’s not women, it’s an acronym created by United Way that stands for asset-limited, income-limited, employed.
The term describes hardworking Americans who are employed but cannot afford basic necessities such as food, housing, health care, child care and transportation.
3 jobs available this week
- Arnold & Porter Policy Advisors, Washington, DC
- Federal Tax Manager, Coinbase, Remote
- Federal Private Enterprise Account Director, Adobe, McLean
Research suggests While clinical care influences only 20 percent of health outcomes, social determinants of health (SDOH) influence as much as 50 percent.
To understand the rise of ALICE and its impact, we need to look at a few key factors.
Socioeconomic factors
Socioeconomic factors are broad and include education, occupational status, family/social support, income, and community safety.
Although the United States is home to many world-class universities, many residents struggle to access a quality education.
And while unemployment is low, many services sector and gig economy jobs don’t offer living wages or benefits, leaving workers at risk of economic insecurity even in full employment.
The high cost of living in many areas has forced families to live farther apart, weakening traditional support networks. Lack of family and social support can exacerbate the financial and emotional stress of ALICE households, especially when it comes to child care for parents who work outside the home.
Additionally, income levels can force workers to commute longer distances or live in poor housing, while income inequality often correlates with higher crime rates in certain areas.
Health behavior
Low-income populations may have more limited access to healthy food options, safe places to be physically active, sleep time, and free time to exercise, all of which contribute to higher rates of behavior-related health problems in the ALICE population.
Financial stress is often correlated with higher rates of smoking and substance abuse, and long working hours and financial stress can limit opportunities for social interaction and lead to mental health problems such as isolation and loneliness.
Healthcare challenges
Despite the Affordable Care Act, many ALICE members and families are uninsured or underinsured, and often cannot get the care they need because of cost.
Additionally, even in well-serviced cities, access to quality health care can be limited in certain areas by a limited number of clinics and long wait times.
Quality of care remains an issue, and as long as disparities in quality persist, patients with ALICE will likely continue to receive suboptimal care.
Physical Environment
Lack of access to quality, affordable housing in many cities forces many ALICE households to live in poor conditions or far from their jobs, leading to health problems due to inadequate housing and long commutes.
While some cities have good public transport systems, for people living in the suburbs, these can be expensive and time-consuming, affecting both employment opportunities and quality of life.
Additionally, only Chicago, Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia have 24-hour subway service, putting shift workers at a disadvantage outside of these areas.
Environmental issues often disproportionately affect low-income neighborhoods, where air quality can vary greatly, further exacerbating health disparities.
There are 3 job openings this week
- Relationship Banker – Washington Boulevard Financial Center, Bank of America, Baltimore
- Federal Territory Account Sales Executive, Autodesk, Maryland
- Director of Program Management (USDA), ICF, Reston
The way forward
The rise of ALICE and the working poor in cities like Washington, DC, serves as a microcosm of broader national trends.
As policymakers continue to debate solutions to economic inequality, the daily struggles of the disadvantaged continue to impact lives and communities across the country.
Some of these issues are being addressed through local programs such as workforce development and affordable housing projects.
But because of its complexity, ALICE calls for a strategy that takes into account not just income, but all the other aspects that contribute to financial instability and poor health.
Understanding the connections between social, health and economic well-being can help us work towards solutions to lift households out of poverty, but ultimately requires progressive policies and leadership.
Are you looking to advance your career? Visit The Hill Job Board today
