Monisha Sullivan's The Poverty Clinic

The Poverty Clinic by Paul Tough focuses on the relationship between childhood trauma and health. The findings in The Poverty Clinic are consistent with the theories in the ‘health onion.’ Monisha Sullivan’s health issue derives from a quantum of factors. Factors of which include lifestyle, outside influences, situational factors, community and environment factors. All of which falls under the frameworks of the ‘health onion.’ Health issues are no longer reliant only on the biological processes, but also on what influences our lives and how we live it. Sullivan is an African American teenage mom. She grew up under the foster care system since the age of 10, after being removed from her father’s home (most likely due to drug problems). Since then, Sullivan has lived in 9 different foster homes. Due to unstable upbringings these factors most likely have contributed to early childhood trauma, which has now manifested into adulthood. Of course, being a member of the system contributes to other individual factors,
Currently there is evidence that states that cognitive-behavioral therapy has the capability to reverse the effects of early trauma. Different research and programs are also being implemented to find the best type of treatment possible. For instance, a study in Delaware has tracked a program that is researching secure attachment between foster parents and children. Of course, more research definitely needs to be done in order to find a solid treatment in reversing the effects of early childhood trauma. Nonetheless, we can’t just rely on research to make changes. There also needs to be more policy changes, programs implemented, and funding first, before anything can happen. The right to health is a fundamental human right; everyone deserves the right to health regardless of who they are. Unless we start making changes, the future of the world will continue to live in brutal