Does inequality in China affect health differently in high- versus low-income households?
China's so-called ‘reform and opening up’ policy (Gai Ge Kai Fang), implemented nearly 30 years ago, has led to tremendous economic development. China's nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 3.25 trillion US dollars in 2007, making it the fourth largest economy in the
world. At the same time, income inequality has become quite skewed in China, inviting considerable criticism. Moreover, the trend towards greater income inequality persists. Of particular public policy relevance is the effect of income inequality on health disparities in China, particularly
for low-income households. This study addresses this issue using a longitudinal dataset from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) over the period 1997 to 2006. Our central finding is that income inequality affects health differently by socioeconomic status: income inequality harms
individual health among low income households by more than it does among high income households. More specifically, health is more adversely affected by greater income inequality for households with low incomes. China's central government is committed to making further investments in the health
care system. As part of that effort, attention should be directed at low income households to reduce health inequality, possibly providing them with a health insurance safety net similar to Medicaid in USA.
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: 1: Department of Health Systems, Management, and Policy,Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, 13001 E 17th Place Room E3312, Campus Box B119AuroraCO 80045, USA 2: Department of Economics and Department of Preventive Medicine,State University of New York at Stony Brook, HSC 3rd FloorStony BrookNY 11794, USA
Publication date: 01 March 2012
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