Peace on Earth? Let's Address Poverty First

As U.S. and Global Economy Attempt Recovery, Americans Cite Poverty as #1 Problem in the U.S. and Around the Globe

December 7, 2009—When it comes to identifying what Americans consider the biggest problem on the planet – as well as in their local communities – it can be summed up in one word. Poverty.

A new study from World Vision reveals that U.S. adults say that poverty is the biggest problem facing people around the world as well as in their local communities, beating out lack of education, lack of access to health care, lack of access to technology, and hunger.

And although more Americans say that poverty is extreme outside the U.S. (61% of those polled) vs. extreme within the U.S. (31%), nearly 8 out of 10 (77%) say that it should be addressed here at home first.

Arguably, poverty is the root of the other major social issues that participants were asked to consider. Addressing poverty effectively and empowering people and their communities to lift themselves out of it are essential to generating the resources, will, and momentum to fight the other local and global issues.

For more information and ideas on how to fight poverty, visit www.worldvisiongifts.org

*The poll was conducted by telephone on behalf of World Vision, an international Christian relief and development organization, among 1,001 U.S. adults (ages 18+) October 29th – November 1st, 2009. For complete methodology including weighing variables, contact John Yeager at jyeager@worldvision.org

World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. We serve the world’s poor — regardless of a person’s religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.worldvision.org/press.