This report presents findings from a new investigation into the experiences of individuals living with long-term ill-health and their families. New in-depth qualitative material and secondary analyses of national datasets are used to examine the ways in which long-term ill-health impacts upon poverty. A free pdf is available at www.jrf.org.uk

Long-term health conditions affect a large proportion of working-age adults in Britain, often limiting daily activities, employment chances, and incomes. This heavy burden of long-term ill-health is now of major policy concern across the UK health and social welfare arenas. Government interventions aim to increase self-reliance among those with long-term ill-health and reduce the costs to the state under such conditions. However, protecting individuals and families from the risk of poverty while experiencing long-term ill-health is not receiving the attention deserved. Research has highlighted the association between long-term ill-health and the risk of poverty, and has recognized the far-reaching effects that such health conditions can have on individuals and their families. Less is known about the pathways that link ill-health to poverty or how they may be broken. In particular, little attention has been given to social participation, access to non-labor income, and other knock-on ef