Abstract
Literature suggests an association between poverty, gender, and health. The Financial Success Program (FSP) provides financial education and support to low-income, single mothers. This study assessed the effect of the FSP on health and quality of life in participants and their children. From 2011-2012, 36 women and 28 children were enrolled. Indicators of health and quality of life were assessed pre-and post-year-long intervention. In addition to improvements in financial outcomes, participants demonstrated a significant reduction in fast food consumption and significant improvements in hopefulness and quality of life. Over 30% of mothers experienced weight loss, 52% a reduction in BMI, and 41% a reduction in body fat percentage. Many children experienced reductions in BMI and BMI percentile. In this chapter we report on the health effect of financial education in low-income single mothers. When designing multifaceted community-based cardiovascular risk reduction programs, financial stress should be addressed through education.