Does the impact of economic inequality on maternal and child health inequality exhibit a threshold effect? Evidence from China

When the economy (economic inequality) develops to a certain level, does the impact of economic inequality on health inequality change? Through threshold regression, this study analyses the impact of city-level economic inequality on the absolute and economic-related inequality in under-5 child mort...

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Main Authors: Yao Yao, Yujie Cui, Wei Luan, Gordon Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Global Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17441692.2025.2470802
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author Yao Yao
Yujie Cui
Wei Luan
Gordon Liu
author_facet Yao Yao
Yujie Cui
Wei Luan
Gordon Liu
author_sort Yao Yao
collection DOAJ
description When the economy (economic inequality) develops to a certain level, does the impact of economic inequality on health inequality change? Through threshold regression, this study analyses the impact of city-level economic inequality on the absolute and economic-related inequality in under-5 child mortality rate (U5MR) (2001–2012) and maternal mortality rate (MMR) (2001–2015), along with the threshold values for economic development stages and economic inequality. Findings show: For the relationship between economic inequality and absolute inequality in U5MR, as well as economic-related inequality, there exists an economic development threshold effect. For the relationship between economic inequality and absolute inequality in MMR, an economic inequality threshold effect is illustrated. The improvement of economic conditions contributes to alleviating inequality in U5MR. Economic development inequality has a significant impact on the equality of maternal health development, but for enhancing the equality of women's health, health promotion policies may be more feasible.
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spelling doaj-art-dd44f03ff267412cb8e3a4889afb027f2025-08-20T03:08:36ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGlobal Public Health1744-16921744-17062025-12-0120110.1080/17441692.2025.2470802Does the impact of economic inequality on maternal and child health inequality exhibit a threshold effect? Evidence from ChinaYao Yao0Yujie Cui1Wei Luan2Gordon Liu3Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of ChinaShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of ChinaNursing Department, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai, People’s Republic of ChinaInstitute for Global Health and Development, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaWhen the economy (economic inequality) develops to a certain level, does the impact of economic inequality on health inequality change? Through threshold regression, this study analyses the impact of city-level economic inequality on the absolute and economic-related inequality in under-5 child mortality rate (U5MR) (2001–2012) and maternal mortality rate (MMR) (2001–2015), along with the threshold values for economic development stages and economic inequality. Findings show: For the relationship between economic inequality and absolute inequality in U5MR, as well as economic-related inequality, there exists an economic development threshold effect. For the relationship between economic inequality and absolute inequality in MMR, an economic inequality threshold effect is illustrated. The improvement of economic conditions contributes to alleviating inequality in U5MR. Economic development inequality has a significant impact on the equality of maternal health development, but for enhancing the equality of women's health, health promotion policies may be more feasible.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17441692.2025.2470802Threshold effectmaternal and child healthgood health and well-beingreduced inequalityinequality in health and economic statusI10
spellingShingle Yao Yao
Yujie Cui
Wei Luan
Gordon Liu
Does the impact of economic inequality on maternal and child health inequality exhibit a threshold effect? Evidence from China
Global Public Health
Threshold effect
maternal and child health
good health and well-being
reduced inequality
inequality in health and economic status
I10
title Does the impact of economic inequality on maternal and child health inequality exhibit a threshold effect? Evidence from China
title_full Does the impact of economic inequality on maternal and child health inequality exhibit a threshold effect? Evidence from China
title_fullStr Does the impact of economic inequality on maternal and child health inequality exhibit a threshold effect? Evidence from China
title_full_unstemmed Does the impact of economic inequality on maternal and child health inequality exhibit a threshold effect? Evidence from China
title_short Does the impact of economic inequality on maternal and child health inequality exhibit a threshold effect? Evidence from China
title_sort does the impact of economic inequality on maternal and child health inequality exhibit a threshold effect evidence from china
topic Threshold effect
maternal and child health
good health and well-being
reduced inequality
inequality in health and economic status
I10
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17441692.2025.2470802
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AT weiluan doestheimpactofeconomicinequalityonmaternalandchildhealthinequalityexhibitathresholdeffectevidencefromchina
AT gordonliu doestheimpactofeconomicinequalityonmaternalandchildhealthinequalityexhibitathresholdeffectevidencefromchina