Did anyone see this article in the Star?

Does poverty impair brain? Expert rejects 'scary' idea
Study overlooks role of society in success, education guru says
April 14, 2009

http://www.thestar.com/article/617960

Here's the article it's based on:

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=2662958&blobtype=pdf

I think the interpretation of these findings as dangerous are missing the
point.  Further, to suggest that these findings indicate that there may be a
"biological cause for intergenerational poverty" is missing the mark.

Clearly this paper is suggesting that CHRONIC STRESS in early childhood can
cause biological changes (indicated by allostatic load) that may lead to 
intergenerational poverty (via poor learning).  While these findings are indeed 
scary, they should also be a reason to cheer for SDOH advocates!
Okay, "cheer" is a bad choice of words...but this type of research does
provide us with a biological rationale for WHY it is important to
ameoliorate the effects of poverty (or better yet, get rid of it
altogether - WE NEED TO DREAM THE DREAM!!!!!!!!!), and WHY poverty is far
more complex than social selection viewpoints allow.

As the article points out, deficits in learning can be easily overcome if
the right programs are in place.

Ketan.

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