Family poverty: what can health visitors do?

Poverty levels have risen substantially since 1979, particularly among families with dependent children. Between 1979 and 1987 the number of families with children in poverty (with incomes below 50 per cent of average income) increased from 2.8 million to 5.5 million. Families with dependent children are now the largest single group in poverty. Many health visitors see poor families and witness the health effects of poverty on a daily basis. Clare Blackburn attempts to identify what action health visitors can take to make a positive impact on family poverty and draws out some of the key elements of responsive service provision.