Poor people die earlier. The mortality rate of people affected by poverty in our society has increased significantly. 31 percent of men affected by poverty do not reach the age of 65. Poverty thus means not only less opportunities to be social, but also having increased chances to die young in one of the wealthiest countries on the planet. Illness leads to poverty, and poverty leads to illness. Prof. Dr. Gerhard Trabert strives to break this vicious cycle and has thus been treating poor and homeless people in Mainz, Germany, and the surrounding region for 20 years. He greets his patients with great respect – patients who, even when they are insured, often do not visit a doctor out of fear of stigmatization. Trabert estimates that, of the approximately 18,000people in Germany who live on the street, 90 per cent require long-term medical attention. Frankfurt-based photographer Andreas Reeg accompanied the physician and his homeless patients fort hree years. The result is this photo project that calls on the viewer to not look away and scrutinizes the notion of equity with images full of respect.
Andreas Reeg, Arzt der Armen
Published by Kehrer Verlag
Euro 29,90
