CIAO DATE: 03/02

Critical Review

Summer–Fall 1999 (Vol.13 Nos.3–4)

Is Inequality Bad for Our Health?

By Jeffrey Milyo and Jennifer M. Mellor

Abstract

A number of recent studies suggest that income and social inequality (as opposed to poverty itself) have detrimental consequences for people's health. These studies argue that while the poor may suffer the most from inequality, the rich also suffer. On closer inspection, however, it emerges that the basic arguments and evidence that inequality has a causal effect on health are wanting in many respects.