WED-010 - Utilizing Simulation to Increase Understanding Regarding Low Income

Brief Abstract Summary: Access to food, shelter and necessities is fundamental to the health of communities. According to the US Census Bureau the official poverty rate in 2022 was 11.5 percent with 37.9 million people in poverty nationwide. The Community Action Poverty Simulation breaks down stereotypes by allowing participants to step into the real-life situations of families experiencing poverty. Participants spend a “month” trying to make ends meet. As the “month” progresses, participants realize the complexity of issues surrounding poverty. A debrief helps people identify areas of change they could implement within their own areas of service which can directly impact the effects of poverty on their communities. Utilizing poverty simulations is one strategy to educate community members and healthcare workers and to foster positive change and promote understanding. A clear understanding of the implications of poverty can lead to changes that improve health for everybody, everywhere, every day.

Detailed abstract description: Access to food, shelter and necessities is fundamental to the health of individuals, families, and communities. According to the US Census Bureau the official poverty rate in 2022 was 11.5 percent with 37.9 million people in poverty nationwide. In the same year, 12.8% of North Carolina residents lived below the poverty line. The top 5 poorest counties in North Carolina (Washington, Robeson, Bladen, Halifax, and Bertie Counties) are all in the eastern region of the state, which is home to East Carolina University, a large, public university. Given the importance of poverty to everyone’s health, ECU Department of Health Education and Promotion faculty have been conducting poverty simulations to bring attention to low-income living situations. The Community Action Poverty Simulation has most recently been used with ECU Medical Students and workers within Pitt County, NC government. Those who benefit from the simulation include but are not limited to: health care professionals, educators, clergy, social service providers, elected officials, management staff, college students, community organizations, corporations, and customer service groups. The Community Action Poverty Simulation breaks down stereotypes by allowing participants to step into the real-life situations of families experiencing poverty. During the simulation, participants assume the identity of an individual whose current financial circumstances are at or just below the poverty threshold. Participants then spend a “month” navigating the institutional systems in place to try to make ends meet. As the “month” progresses, participants realize the complexity and interconnectedness of issues surrounding poverty. Following the simulation, participants share what they’ve learned with their peers. Debrief discussion helps people identify areas of change they could implement within their own areas of service which can directly impact the effects of poverty on individuals, families, and communities. After a 2024 simulation, 96.7% of participants reported they strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement “I have an understanding of the effect of poverty on those I serve.” In our most recent simulation only 44.7% of participants reported being aware of resources for low-income families. After the simulation, of those who answered, 76.2% stated they were aware of community resources for low-income families. With additional regions in North Carolina and other states facing impacts from poverty, utilizing poverty simulations is one strategy to educate community members and healthcare workers and to foster positive change and promote understanding. A clear understanding of the implications of poverty can lead to changes that improve health for everybody, everywhere, every day.