Poverty Profile USA.

This second edition of "Poverty Profile", published by the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle as part of their Campaign for Human Development, updates the data examined in the earlier (1972) edition and examines some of the current social welfare programs designed to alleviate the affects of poverty. The extent to which poverty affects millions of Americans is discussed and specific groups such as the elderly poor, children, the rural poor, the urban poor, and the working poor, along with the racial-ethnic distribution of poverty are addressed. Various standards that are used to measure poverty, such as the poverty index and the one half of the median income index are defined and explained. A variety of government sponsored programs such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Assistance Programs, Title VII and Title XX for the elderly are discussed. Also included is an explanation of myths and facts about welfare programs and welfare recipients. A short bibliography on poverty, hunger, the elderly, employment, housing, health, social welfare programs, and other poverty related issues is included. (Author/AM)