When I was a young boy in the early 1950s watching my father care for patients and their families in his office attached to our house, it was clear that his roles as counselor, coach and confidant on a broad range of issues was at least as important as his functions as clinician and scientist.

Now, as a new presidential election approaches, and a change in leadership is assured, the connection between poverty, education and health is coming into sharper focus.

Poverty is on the rise in the United States. It rose overall from 11.3 percent to 12.6 percent from 2000 to 2005.

Except for the top 10 percent, U.S. household income is declining.

Income inequality -- that is, the distance between our richest and poorest citizens -- is rising.

what does this have to do with health? The simple answer? Everything!

the greater your poverty, the more limited your health insurance, the lower your adherence to treatment plans, the more likely you are to forego medicines

these effects compound in children