Racial Disparities in Poverty Status among Families of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Background: Poverty rates among individuals with disabilities are much higher than for the general U.S. population. However, little is known about the likelihood of poverty among families of those with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Objectives: Examine the association of pre‐injury and post‐injury education with the likelihood of familial poverty by race/ethnicity for 1,405 adults between the ages of 18 and 64 who had a traumatic spinal cord injury at least one year prior to the study interview (2003). Methods: Based on reported household income in 2002, familial poverty status of individuals with a SCI was determined based on United States (U.S.) Federal Poverty Guidelines during the year of reported income. Based on a conceptual model of human capital loss and acquisition, a model of the likelihood of poverty was estimated separately for Non‐Hispanic White and Black/Hispanic families. Results: 18.33% of Non‐Hispanic White families and 42.35% of Black/Hispanic families with a member having SCI were found to be living below the poverty level. Bachelor's degree education attainment was the most important factor and was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of familial poverty for Non‐Hispanic White (‐0.10) and for Black/Hispanic families (‐0.27). Conclusions: We have proposed that the Social Security Administration grant presumptive disability eligibility for SCI, guarantee continued medical benefits after employment and pilot an online college degree reimbursement plan to reduce poverty among families of individuals with SCI.