Survey: Ohio poverty rate increases; fewer poor residents have insurance or report excellent health

The percentage of Ohioans below 100% of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG) has increased slightly since 2005, while the number of residents living above 200% FPG has decreased. (Source: "Ohioans' Experiences with Poverty," 2007 Ohio Health Issues Poll.) In 2007, 16% of Ohioans lived at 100% FPG, up from 14% in 2005. Those above 200% FPG fell from 65% in 2005 to 62% in 2007. The survey, conducted through the University of Cincinnati Institute for Policy Research's Ohio Poll for the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, also found that 39% of Ohioans below 100% of poverty are uninsured, an uninsured rate more than twice that of Ohioans in higher income groups. Only 16% of Ohioans between 100 and 200% FPG lack health insurance, compared with 7% of Ohioans above 200% of poverty. In 2006, 100% of the FPG for a family of four was $20,000.

The survey also examined the health status of Ohioans by income level. Those "living below 100% FPG reported poorer health status than those living between 100-200% FPG and those living above 200% FPG. Since 2005, the percentage of Ohioans living below 100% FPG who report excellent or very good health status has steadily decreased" to 21% of respondents, while the percentage who report fair or poor health status has increased to 79%. Other information in the report includes survey results comparing poverty with gender, race, age, education, geographic region,  employment status, and more.