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Work-disabling illness as a shock for livelihoods and poverty in Dhaka slums, Bangladesh

Abstract This paper examines the impact of work days off due to illness on the financial status and livelihoods of poor slum dwellers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data on illness and socio-economic status were collected in a panel survey with monthly rounds. We contacted over 12 000 individuals during a 12-month period and 2682 adults had taken work days off due to illness. Where adults had taken time off work due to illness, coping responses included a deficit in their financial situation, reducing expenditure, taking loans or mortgages, selling assets, changing their work and begging. Particular households may be vulnerable to adult ill-health. When ill-health prevents an adult earner from working, the household financial situation deteriorates, and strategies are used to offset the effect. It is likely that adult illness is a major contributor to chronic poverty.