Income Inequality and Health: Pathways and Mechanisms - Week 4

These flashcards encapsulate the key concepts and findings related to the relationship between income inequality and health as presented in the lecture notes.

Relative Income Hypothesis

Predicts that an individual's health status is better in societies with a more equal distribution of incomes.

Income Inequality

The extent to which income is distributed unevenly in a population.

Social Capital

Features of social organization such as trust and norms of reciprocity that facilitate cooperation for mutual benefit.

Absolute Deprivation

The condition where an individual's income level is insufficient to meet basic needs.

Relative Deprivation

The perception of being worse off compared to others, which can affect health.

Gini Coefficient

A measure of income inequality within a population, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality.

Public Health Policy

Strategies aimed at improving health and preventing illness through organized efforts.

Social Cohesion

The bonds that connect members of a community, which can influence overall health and well-being.

Mortality Rates

The frequency of deaths in a given population during a specific period.

Psychosocial Effects

The influence of social factors on individual psychological functioning.

Egalitarian Society

A society characterized by human equality, especially in terms of social status and wealth.

Multi-Level Analysis

An analytical approach that considers data from different levels of organization, such as individual and community levels.

Cross-sectional Study

A type of observational study that analyzes data from a population at a specific point in time.

Underinvestment in Social Goods

Insufficient allocation of resources towards essential services like education and healthcare.

Health Inequities

Disparities in health outcomes that are unjust and avoidable, often linked to social determinants.

Mortality Risk

The probability of death in a given population over a certain time frame.

Household Income

Total earnings of all members of a single household, which can impact health outcomes.

Self-Rated Health

An individual’s assessment of their own health status, often used as a predictor for mortality.

Income Distribution

The way in which total income is divided among the members of an economy.

Health Disparities

Differences in health outcomes and their causes among groups of people.

Social Comparisons

The process of comparing oneself to others, which can affect self-esteem and mental health.

Civic Associations

Organizations within a community that promote social welfare and collective interests.

Disinvestment in Human Capital

Reduction in investment in education and training, affecting future productivity and health.

Erosion of Trust

A decline in the confidence individuals have in each other and in institutions.

Well-Being

A state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.

Proposed Policy Levers

Recommended strategies or interventions intended to address issues in income inequality.

Democratic Institutions

Organizations and systems in which the population has a say in governance through representation.

Contextual Gini Value

A measure of income inequality assigned to individuals based on their state of residence.