How Inequality Gets Under The Skin

While the classroom discussion has recently been centered on class status and its effect on health, it is important to center the conversation into broader terms. Income and class status not only effect health overtly in the physical sense, but also in the arena of mental health. It can affect an individual by increasing their levels of anxiety and depression. All these claims can be read in Wilkinson and Pickett’s writing, “The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger.” It can be observed that income inequality has many more consequences in a society than just poverty. Rather, income inequality, especially in developed economies, creates an increase in health related complications to those with lower income.

According to Wilkinson and Pickett’s, the detrimental effects to those with a lower income in the physical sense revolve in weight. Those with a higher income tend to not be as overweight as those with a lower income. One can safely assume, that this is due to the fact that neighborhoods with predominantly low-income households do not have the same opportunities to buy fresh produce and or other nutritious foods. With out a doubt, food deserts are predominantly located in low-income neighborhoods and health dietary options are not conveniently located for the residents of the particular neighborhood. Also, “higher incomes are related to lower death rates at every level in society” (325). It is to no surprise, that those with lower income can expect to see their health deteriorate and die sooner than their fellow wealthy neighbors.

Furthermore, as previously stated, income not only affects physical health but mental health. As described in Wilkinson and Pickett’s writing developed countries are seeing a rise in levels of depression and anxiety. They are also reporting a lower level of self-esteem within their citizens. All these facts are not meant to generalize, but rather are there to shed light to the detrimental effects of social/income inequality. The affect on this inequality in a society goes beyond wealth and income; it affects the development of the mental and physical health of an entire society. Understanding and eradicating this inequality will enable a society to be healthier in its entire sense. According to Wilkinson and Pickett, “not only do large inequalities produces all the problems associated with social differences and the divisive class prejudice which can go with them, but, […] it also weakens community life, reduces trust and increase violence” (341). It should be noted that society will not reach its entire level of prosperity until inequality in all it’s meaning is eradicated. However, this is only wishful thinking.