New Scientist: Social Inequality kills

[DBoon]

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14619-social-injustice-is-killing-on-a-grand-scale.html

Social inequity is worse for people's health than a lack of medical facilities, but the situation can be remedied "within a generation".

That, in a nutshell, is the message from a three-year analysis of the quality of life around the world (pdf format), presented today by the Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH), an advisory body to the World Health Organisation.

...Even if a country becomes wealthier, the population's health may not improve unless the income is used and distributed wisely to promote equality in the various "social determinants of health" – education, employment, basic amenities and gender equality.

Some countries and regions with low per-capita wealth, such as China, Cuba and the Indian state of Kerala have improved health regardless of a lack of money.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Very interesting, and somehow I am not at all surprised. Thanks for posting

[LongTomH]

2. The right-wing trolls have discovered New Scientist!

Read the replies to the article. Some wingnut with the handle "RJ" is trying to have the last word on defending Friedmanite economics and unrestrained capitalism.

[unblock]

3. rich people forget that people without adequate healthcare might carry diseases

rich people are healthier if the rest of the population isn't sick.