Is income inequality a determinant of population health? Part 1. A systematic review.
This article reviews 98 aggregate and multilevel studies examining the associations between income inequality and health. Overall, there seems to be little support for the idea that income inequality is a major, generalizable determinant of population health differences within or between rich countries. Income inequality may, however, directly influence some health outcomes, such as homicide in some contexts. The strongest evidence for direct health effects is among states in the United States, but even that is somewhat mixed. Despite little support for a direct effect of income inequality on health per se, reducing income inequality by raising the incomes of the most disadvantaged will improve their health, help reduce health inequalities, and generally improve population health.
Lynch
John
J
Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 48104-2548, USA. jwlynch@umich.edu
Smith
George Davey
GD
Harper
Sam
S
Hillemeier
Marianne
M
Ross
Nancy
N
Kaplan
George A
GA
Wolfson
Michael
M
D000368:Aged; D019049:Developed Countries; D014943:Global Health; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011203:Poverty; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States