Milestone Four: Analyzing Poverty in Wellness Through the Lenses of the Natural and Applied
Sciences and Social Sciences
Cheyenne Nelson
Southern New Hampshire University
Introduction
The purpose of this analysis is to examine and describe poverty through the lenses of the
natural and applied sciences and the social sciences. Specific to the lenses of natural and applied
sciences, the examination will include how poverty provides a social commentary through such
lenses and depict how science can help resolve and/or enhance the issue of poverty. Additionally.
the document will discuss and interpret poverty through the lens of social sciences by
specifically addressing how poverty interacts with the stated lens and its impact on social issues;
it will further converse how the social science lens helps articulate a deeper understanding of the
social issue(s) that inform poverty.
Natural and Applied Sciences
"The natural and applied sciences study the physical world to help us better understand
ourselves and our place in nature, and nature's role in shaping us" (Southern New Hampshire
University, n.d.) -- natural science further incorporates the use of ".. .fields such as biology,
chemistry, and physics, while the applied sciences include STEM-related fields such as
mathematics and technology" (Southern New Hampshire University, n.d.). Focusing on the
natural sciences, statistically, "about three in four poor people live in rural areas, where they
depend on natural resources for their livelihoods, and about 90 percent of them depend on forests
for at least some part of their income" (USAID, 2006). By analyzing natural resource
management, this helps define the link between poverty, our place in nature, and nature's role in
shaping us which can be seen on a global level. Our role, to live among nature and be one with
such in evident "...in resource-dependent activities such as small-scale farming, livestock
production, fishing, hunting, artisanal mining, and logging" (USAID, 2006) -- natural resources
gives individuals something to fall back on when other income sources fail and are still apparent
and relied upon in modern society today to boost all around wellness. This is present through
natural sciences providing healthy, accessible foods whether the individual lives off the land
itself or is provided these necessities through farmer's markets, grocery stores, etc.
Continuing to applied sciences, technology has played an important role in viewing
poverty through a sense of wellness. Relying on scientific studies, combating poverty can be
evaluated and tried through vigorous methods (i.e. natural observations, researching hypotheses,
etc.). Incorporating natural sciences involving animals that live on the land (i.e. cows, goats, and
other assets/services) infused with a dose of cash "...made families healthier and better off for at
least a year, researchers found" (Underwood, 2014); advancing to modern society what did not
work in the past has shown promise through a randomized study comparing those who received
benefits from the research program compared to those who did not. This is still evident through
today with measures in place such as welfare programs to aid the less fortunate or those impacted
by natural occurrences