Society & Culture / Social Issues / Poverty & Inequality

Study on the Relationship Between Health, Inequality, and Economic Development

Study on the Relationship Between Health, Inequality, and Economic Development 健康、不平等与经济发展之关联研究 This research report explores the complex relationship between income inequality, economic development, and national health. Through analysis of the Preston curve, the authors point out that the positive impact of income on health is most significant among the poor, implying that excessive wealth inequality may reduce average life expectancy through a "aggregation effect." The article evaluates various theoretical models, including the absolute income hypothesis, relative deprivation, and the impact of psychological stress on biological function, while also examining how inequality harms health by weakening the supply of public goods and inducing crime. Although cross-national data often show a correlation, the authors argue that this link is not robust after controlling for variables such as racial composition and education level. The final conclusion suggests that income inequality itself may not be a direct killer of health; the real risk lies in the material deprivation and social deprivation caused by low income.