Cascading System Failures: How Systems Contribute to Poverty, Poor Health, and Child Welfare Involvement, and how to Redress This.

FAMILIES & psychology; WELL-being; OBESITY; DRUG addiction; RACISM; TAXATION; HEALTH services accessibility; SOCIAL determinants of health; FOOD relief; FAMILY support; FAMILY health; BURDEN of care; MENTAL health; MEDICAL care; MEDICAL care costs; PREGNANT women; FAMILY attitudes; SOCIAL security; SOCIAL isolation; SOCIOECONOMIC factors; SOCIOECONOMIC status; PSYCHOLOGY of caregivers; CHILD welfare; FINANCIAL stress; GOVERNMENT policy; MENTAL depression; DESPAIR; SOCIAL classes; POVERTY; ANXIETY; INFANT mortality; HEALTH equity; CULTURAL prejudices; PUBLIC welfare; PSYCHOLOGICAL distress; MENTAL health services; MENTAL illness

The article examines how economic insecurity as a non-medical factor impacts health and can lead to involvement with child protective services. Topics covered include the shortcomings of the social safety net for families experiencing poverty, the ways in which poverty contributes to chronic stress, isolation and declines in health and well-being for caregivers and the policies needed to meet families' needs, promote well-being and prevent contact with intervening systems such as child welfare.