Income inequality and multimorbidity patterns in China: a micro-level analysis using CHARLS
IntroductionHealth inequality—particularly income-related health inequality—poses a global challenge, significantly affecting social and economic well-being. While previous research has investigated the link between income inequality and various health outcomes, including chronic diseases, studies f...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1588325/full |
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| author | Mengqian Ouyang Bowen Liu Riping Xu |
| author_facet | Mengqian Ouyang Bowen Liu Riping Xu |
| author_sort | Mengqian Ouyang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionHealth inequality—particularly income-related health inequality—poses a global challenge, significantly affecting social and economic well-being. While previous research has investigated the link between income inequality and various health outcomes, including chronic diseases, studies focusing on multimorbidity remain limited.MethodsThis study examines how income inequality affects multimorbidity in China, drawing on data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. By employing the Kakwani Index, the analysis evaluates income inequality at the individual level and utilizes Latent Class Analysis to identify multimorbidity patterns. The research further explores how these effects vary across different age groups and regions. The study investigates the role of household economic decisions in shaping health outcomes. RIF regression is used to break down the contribution of income inequality to health disparities.ResultsLower relative wage income was strongly associated with an increased number of chronic diseases and heightened likelihood of specific multimorbidity patterns, particularly Respiratory-Cardiovascular diseases and overall disease burden. Redistribution of income partially alleviated the negative impact of income inequality on health outcomes. The effects of income inequality on health differ notably across age groups and geographical regions. Developmental expenditures (e.g., improving living conditions) were more effective in addressing income-related health disparities than direct increases in healthcare spending.DiscussionPolicy responses need to focus on targeted income redistribution strategies and increased investment in developmental initiatives to address these growing health inequalities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-84dfa0de873944a9a5111f9906346c01 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-84dfa0de873944a9a5111f9906346c012025-08-20T02:26:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-04-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15883251588325Income inequality and multimorbidity patterns in China: a micro-level analysis using CHARLSMengqian Ouyang0Bowen Liu1Riping Xu2Department of Economics, Guangdong Institute of Public Administration, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United StatesDepartment of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, ChinaIntroductionHealth inequality—particularly income-related health inequality—poses a global challenge, significantly affecting social and economic well-being. While previous research has investigated the link between income inequality and various health outcomes, including chronic diseases, studies focusing on multimorbidity remain limited.MethodsThis study examines how income inequality affects multimorbidity in China, drawing on data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. By employing the Kakwani Index, the analysis evaluates income inequality at the individual level and utilizes Latent Class Analysis to identify multimorbidity patterns. The research further explores how these effects vary across different age groups and regions. The study investigates the role of household economic decisions in shaping health outcomes. RIF regression is used to break down the contribution of income inequality to health disparities.ResultsLower relative wage income was strongly associated with an increased number of chronic diseases and heightened likelihood of specific multimorbidity patterns, particularly Respiratory-Cardiovascular diseases and overall disease burden. Redistribution of income partially alleviated the negative impact of income inequality on health outcomes. The effects of income inequality on health differ notably across age groups and geographical regions. Developmental expenditures (e.g., improving living conditions) were more effective in addressing income-related health disparities than direct increases in healthcare spending.DiscussionPolicy responses need to focus on targeted income redistribution strategies and increased investment in developmental initiatives to address these growing health inequalities.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1588325/fullmultimorbidityhealth inequalityrelative incomeKakwani IndexCHARLS |
| spellingShingle | Mengqian Ouyang Bowen Liu Riping Xu Income inequality and multimorbidity patterns in China: a micro-level analysis using CHARLS Frontiers in Public Health multimorbidity health inequality relative income Kakwani Index CHARLS |
| title | Income inequality and multimorbidity patterns in China: a micro-level analysis using CHARLS |
| title_full | Income inequality and multimorbidity patterns in China: a micro-level analysis using CHARLS |
| title_fullStr | Income inequality and multimorbidity patterns in China: a micro-level analysis using CHARLS |
| title_full_unstemmed | Income inequality and multimorbidity patterns in China: a micro-level analysis using CHARLS |
| title_short | Income inequality and multimorbidity patterns in China: a micro-level analysis using CHARLS |
| title_sort | income inequality and multimorbidity patterns in china a micro level analysis using charls |
| topic | multimorbidity health inequality relative income Kakwani Index CHARLS |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1588325/full |
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