When discussing the impact of income inequality, it’s easy to assume that most of the negative impact is on those with low income, with higher income people largely shielded from any possible impact.

New research suggests that income inequality can affect the health outcomes of both rich and poor alike however.  The study found that newborns in American counties where income inequality is higher than average tend to die at a higher rate than those born in counties with a more equitable income spread.

Income inequality in particular areas was calculated using census data, and the analysis revealed that income inequality seemed to be correlated with higher rates of postnatal depression in new mothers.  This trend seemed to be consistent across north America, from Calgary to San Francisco.

Falling social cohesion

The researchers believe high income inequality results in a decline in social cohesion, with this erosion in trust resulting from the comparisons people make between themselves and others.  This leads to fear and insecurity, which can be strongly linked with rises in depression and aggression.  What was interesting however was that this emerged across society and not just among those at the lowest end of the income spectrum.

“Income inequality doesn’t just affect people on the lower end but the higher end as well. We all live together, we have to interact with each other,” the researchers say.  “Government redistribution of wealth over the long term would improve health for all members of a society—the most privileged and the most disadvantaged.”

It perhaps goes without saying that income inequality is not something that is ever going to be completely eradicated, but there is perhaps nonetheless a threshold beyond which it becomes damaging to society.  The authors advocate boosting funding for education and healthcare so that communities have a more even playing field, whilst policies such as higher minimum wages can also have health benefits.