HLTH 101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11: Social Mobility, List Of Canadians By Net Worth, Gini Coefficient
31 Jan 2017
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Document Summary
Differences in health status have mostly to do with differences in the resources available to and the related capacities of individuals. Most powerful measure of resources and capabilities is income. More equal affluent societies such as australia have a better health profile than less equal ones such as canada and the us. Important measures like life expectancy and infant mortality track closely with the amount of inequality. Has to do with composition of society mix or richer and poorer people. Social and economic inequality can have direct effects on individual health. Corporate compensation policies and reduced taxes for the wealthy have broadened the gap between rich and the rest. Recession and rising unemployment have hit poorer canadians and. Canada is tracking closely with the us on inequality and changes to taxation and public policy. Materialist theories of health lend support to progressive income taxes and re-distributive public programs. Health would be improved by fairer taxation and more robust income redistribution.
