Inequalities, Sociopolitical Context, and Health Disparities: A Comparative Approach

• In Event: 20820 - Section on Medical Sociology Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 16. Global Health

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between aggregate-level characteristics and individual health outcomes, focusing on resource inequalities and welfare systems across 66 countries. While it is well-established that poor resources negatively impact health, debates persist regarding the role of income inequality and other macro-level factors in shaping health disparities. Income inequality has been linked to worse health outcomes, including chronic diseases and mental health issues, due to stress, social hierarchies, and unequal access to healthcare. Similarly, poverty exacerbates health risks by limiting access to basic needs and exposing individuals to environmental hazards. However, causal relationships remain challenging to establish, and gaps exist in understanding how multiple forms of disadvantage intersect to shape health disparities. This study addresses two key questions: (1) How are various measures of resource inequalities associated with health disparities? and (2) How do welfare system indicators, particularly safety nets and healthcare policies, configure these disparities? Preliminary findings suggest that self-reported health correlates with economic development, wealth inequality, and social/healthcare policies. These results underscore the need for comprehensive policy interventions addressing both material and structural determinants of health to promote equity.

Authors

• Jun Xu, University of Macau

• Fang Gong, Ball State University