Poverty in Milwaukee Increases

Milwaukee Ranks No. 8

Poverty has tightened its grip on the city of Milwaukee and surged statewide, according to startling figures published Thursday by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Milwaukee’s poverty rate was 29.5% last year, up from 27% in 2009. In all, 171,521 people – including nearly half the city’s children – lived below the poverty line in 2010 as Milwaukee remained among America’s 10 most impoverished big cities. The disparities are even greater among miniorities, with 41.4% of Milwaukee’s black residents and 32.3% of Hispanics living at or below poverty.

Not surprisingly, the increase of poverty has taken its toll on the health of Milwaukee’s vulnerable populations. Those without insurance (or those with limited coverage) have few options when it comes to health and dental care.

We at Progressive Commuinty Health Centers see the effects of poverty first hand at our clinics each day. Nearly 25% of our patient population lacks health insurance and our number of uninsured visits has grown by more than 125% in the last two years.

Fortunately, we treat people of all ages and incomes, regardless of their insurance status or income. While we specialize in primary care, we also offer pediatrics, women’s health and dental services. Our mission is to improve the health and quality of life of the community by providing culturally competent services that address identified needs. We are doing our part to address the poverty issues in our city and hope you will join us in making a difference.

If you or someone you know needs a primary care provider, contact us today to schedule an appointment at (414) 935-8000.