BEYOND “BETTER RICH THAN POOR”: RETHINKING WEALTH, HEALTH, AND INEQUALITY
Keywords:
Wealth, Wealth Inequality, Mental Health, Physical Health, Health DisparitiesAbstract
The belief that wealth directly leads to better health has long been a cornerstone of socioeconomic discourse. This review critically examines the assumption that wealthier individuals invariably experience superior health outcomes, analyzing two decades of literature to dissect the complex relationship between economic status and well-being. While wealth provides access to quality healthcare, nutrition, and safer environments, this narrative is not straightforward. We explore how socioeconomic factors, including education, social capital, and community, mediate the influence of wealth on physical and mental health. Furthermore, we delve into the impacts of wealth inequality, revealing how disparities can undermine health outcomes, even within affluent societies. Psychological dimensions, such as stress and perceptions of social status, are also considered. Ultimately, this synthesis calls for re-evaluating simplistic assumptions and advocating for comprehensive public health strategies that address wealth inequality alongside individual economic status to foster equitable health outcomes across socioeconomic strata, challenging the notion that 'better rich than poor' guarantees better health.
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