Experiencing poverty during childhood can lead to lasting harmful effects that compromise not only children’s health and welfare but can also limit them to a lifetime of poverty that passes on to future generations. This cycle of economic disadvantages weighs heavily not only on these families but also the nation, reducing overall economic output and placing increased burden on the educational, criminal justice, and health care systems.
 
This new consensus study report examines how poverty passes from one generation to another, identifies potential policies and programs to reduce it, and makes recommendations to address gaps in data and research.