Income Disparity And Health

Evidence that income inequality is associated with worse health is reviewed.

Income disparity and health. So let s begin with these studies the results of which show a causal relationship between income and physiological health. The long term demographic and economic data with regard to developed oecd countries showed that increase in general. In nations where the top 1 percent hold a greater share of national income people tend to have a lower sense of personal well being according to university of oxford saïd business school research. Income inequality has grown substantially in recent decades which may perpetuate or exacerbate health disparities.

It meets established epidemiological and other scientific criteria for causality. Health inequities are systematic differences in the health status of different population groups. Britain was below this threshold in the 1960s. Policies with regard to health spending influenced welfare of contemporary and next period s generations which then influenced economic growth.

Health inequality persists today though our public health response our modern metropolitan health laws must address more insidious causes and conditions of illness. But these studies cover whole populations and hence a significant number of lives. Income inequality physiological health. In all countries whether low middle or high income there are wide disparities in the health status of different social groups.

Researchers are also finding links between inequality and mental health. The lower an individual s socio economic position the higher their risk of poor health. Subramanian a professor of population health and geography at harvard who has studied the phenomenon. Policy initiatives that supplement income and improve educational opportunities housing prospects and social mobility particularly in childhood can reduce poverty and lead to downstream health effects not only for low income.

The independent effect of income inequality on health social problems shown in some studies looks small in statistical terms. Extreme inequality appears to affect how people perceive their well being. The causal processes may extend to violence and other problems with social gradients. Inequality effects over and above average income are pretty well established said s v.

Some research suggests that inequality is particularly harmful beyond a certain threshold. Reducing income inequality will improve population health and wellbeing.