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Articles on Disadvantaged areas

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For many people, park and playground closures during COVID-19 meant having even fewer exercise options. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel 

Lack of exercise linked to increased risk of severe COVID-19

Socio-economic factors are major barriers to physical activity. New research suggests this is one more reason why disadvantaged people were at increased risk for COVID-19.
A mural by Amanda Newman in Northcote, Melbourne, depicts Ai Fen, a Wuhan Central Hospital doctor who was reprimanded for raising the alarm about COVID-19 in December 2019. Photo: Carl Grodach

Why coronavirus will deepen the inequality of our suburbs

The inner suburbs are home to large numbers of workers in jobs vulnerable to the pandemic. If they’re forced to seek cheaper housing in outer suburbs, the urban divide will widen.
Centrelink queues shocked Australians but long before COVID-19 Western Sydney had job-poor neighbourhoods with very high unemployment rates. Loren Elliott/AAP

Recession will hit job-poor parts of Western Sydney very hard

Western Sydney’s growth-driven boom had ended before COVID-19 hit. Some neighbourhood unemployment rates were 2-3 times the metropolitan average, with female workforce participation as low as 43%.
Children in suburbs with low levels of education and employment and high rates of poverty and crime are also missing out on the experiences that help make upwards social mobility possible. Tracey Nearmy/AAP

Young Australians’ prospects still come down to where they grow up

Children growing up in the most disadvantaged suburbs also lack the social opportunities to develop skills and aspirations that would improve their prospects in life.
School children read books at Palipis beach in Mandar, West Sulawesi. The books were brought by library boat. Pattingalloang, which was part of a network of moving libraries called Pustaka Bergerak. Urwa/Pustaka Bergerak

Disadvantaged Indonesians defy the perception that they’re not interested in reading

Indonesian politicians and public figures say Indonesians have a low interest in reading. But people in disadvantaged areas defy this perception; they always welcome new books with joy.

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