Central Oregon Health Council :: Measures for Address Poverty and Increase Self-Sufficiency

Why are these measures important?

Please see the information below, describing the measures being tracked for this priority area, and why they are important.

Learn more about this topic and others through funded pilots and projects on the "What We're Learning" page.

High School Graduation

Education has been and is a way out of poverty, especially for minority students.
Students with a college degree have fared far better (even during the last recession) than those who either left school before graduation or earned only a high school diploma. (IDRA, 2013)
Yet we continue to miss the mark of preparing all students well – and this disproportionately impacts low-income and minority students. The Economist summarizes: “America is one of only three advanced countries which spends less on the education of poorer children than richer ones” (Minton-Bedoes, 2012). Even as a child’s zip code continues to play such a big role in that child’s future, education has become more essential.
There are substantial differences in lifetime earnings by educational attainment.
Men with bachelor's degrees earn approximately $900,000 more in median lifetime earnings than high school graduates.
Women with bachelor's degrees earn $630,000 more. Men with graduate degrees earn $1.5 million more in median lifetime earnings than high school graduates. Women with graduate degrees earn $1.1 million more. (Social Security Administration, 2015)
High school graduation is a key factor in health outcomes in adulthood.
Not completing high school can be linked to many negative outcomes, such as low wages, poverty, and limited employment opportunities (HealthyPeople.gov, 2019).
Factors that may result in a student dropping out of high school may include family, community issues, and/or components related to the school (HealthyPeople.gov, 2019). Individuals who do not graduate high school are more likely to report they have overall worse health and many individuals report suffering from at least one chronic health issue, such as diabetes, hepatitis, and/or asthma (HealthyPeople.gov, 2019).

In Central Oregon, we are seeing the following:

In Crook County, the graduation rate among economically disadvantaged students is 68.2%, and the target in the 2020-2024 RHIP is increasing this percentage to 76.6%.
In Deschutes County, the graduation rate among economically disadvantaged students is 68.9%, and the target in the 2020-2024 RHIP is increasing this percentage to 77.3%.
In Jefferson County, the graduation rate among economically disadvantaged students is 77.2%, and the target in the 2020-2024 RHIP is increasing this percentage to 83.4%.

Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is defined as "the state of being without reliable access to sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food."
Food insecurity and poor nutrition have serious consequences for the health and well being of our community, including a greater risk for chronic disease, which can be costly to health systems and individuals.
Populations such as children, seniors, and individuals who live in rural areas have less access to healthy foods and are particularly at risk for food insecurity, poor nutrition, and chronic illnesses over the course of their life.
In Central Oregon, Crook County has the highest proportion of the total population (adults and children) who are food insecure.
Nearly 1 out of 4 children in Crook and Jefferson Counties, and 1 out of 5 children in Deschutes County are food insecure.
All three Central Oregon counties have a higher proportion of adults and children who are food insecure compared to Oregon as a whole
Individuals who experience food insecurity may not be eligible for nutrition assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Women, Infant, and Children Program (WIC).
In Deschutes County, for example, 30% of food-insecure persons live above 185% of the federal poverty level, which means they would likely be ineligible for most nutrition assistance programs

In Central Oregon, we are seeing the following:

In Crook County, the current food insecurity rate is 14.3%, and the target in the 2020-2024 RHIP is decreasing this percentage to 13%.
In Deschutes County, the current food insecurity rate is 10.5%, and the target in the 2020-2024 RHIP has currently been met at 11%.
In Jefferson County, the current food insecurity rate is 14.2%, and the target in the 2020-2024 RHIP is decreasing this percentage to 11.3%.

Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed

ALICE data comes from the United Way. ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) households are defined as those households that earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living for the county.
The basic cost of living is defined as an estimate of costs of housing, childcare, food, transportation, technology, healthcare, taxes, and a contingency fund equal to 10% of the household budget.
Households below the poverty level and ALICE households (combined) are considered to be struggling to afford basic needs.
For more information, visit www.unitedwayalice.org.

In Central Oregon, we are seeing the following:

In Crook County, the percentage of households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed is 42.2%, and the target in the 2020-2024 RHIP is decreasing this percentage to 27%.
In Deschutes County, the percentage of households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed is 24.6%, and the target in the 2020-2024 RHIP is decreasing this percentage to 24%.
In Jefferson County, the percentage of households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed is 37.6%, and the target in the 2020-2024 RHIP is decreasing this percentage to 32%.

Housing and Transportation As a Percent of Income

Between 2013 and 2017, housing costs skyrocketed as a result of significant in-migration and insufficient stock of housing options (US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 2018).
The recent recession resulted in little building and a loss of employment in the construction field which is now struggling to catch up with recent population growth. This has led to low rental vacancy rates and rising rents.
Almost 50% of the region’s renters are considered to be cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their household income on housing-related costs (Regional Housing Needs Assessment, 2019).
This cost burden and the potential for additional transportation costs for households living far from their place of work further constrained incomes of already vulnerable households living below, at, or near to, the poverty level.
With high housing and transportation costs, individuals and families are left with little extra to spend on their other needs like groceries.

In Central Oregon, we are seeing the following:

In Crook County, the combined housing and transportation costs as a percent of income are 67%, and the target in the 2020-2024 RHIP is decreasing this rate to 64%.
In Deschutes County, the combined housing and transportation costs as a percent of income are 58%, and the target in the 2020-2024 RHIP is decreasing this rate to 55%.
In Jefferson County, the combined housing and transportation costs as a percent of income is 58%, and the target in the 2020-2024 RHIP is decreasing this rate to 55%.