Parkland Institute Speakers’ Series

Inequality is bad for your health
British researcher finds that class inequality is 
the primary cause of poor health

Jason Foster, AFL Staff

Respected British researcher Dr. Richard Wilkinson toured Alberta at the beginning of March to discuss his extensive body of research into the causes of poor health and sickness. His findings may be startling to some: the most important indicator of poor health is the depth of income inequality in a society.

Wilkinson was brought to Alberta by the Parkland Institute as part of their Spring Speaker Series.

"The quality of human social relations is a crucial determinant not only of health, but also of the quality of our lives," Wilkinson said in his presentation.

Advocates for social change have known for years that poverty leads to higher crime rates and social breakdown. They also know that income level is a key determinant of an individual’s health status – in other words, the poorer you are, the less healthy you are.

Dr. Wilkinson’s research supports this conclusion. He pointed to a study of British public servants which shows that employees at the high end of the hierarchy have consistently better health results than their colleagues lower down the ladder – differences that can only be explained through their difference in social status.

But Wilkinson’s research goes a step further. "It is not the level of absolute poverty that is significant, but instead the relative level of inequality in a society." In other words, individual health is determined by their position in their local community, not by how poor or prosperous the community as a whole is.

A cross-national study, Wilkinson reported, has found that countries with greater levels of income equality consistently perform better on health indicators. "It is not how much money you have, but how much money you have compared to your neighbour," said Wilkinson.

There are clear biological and evolutionary reasons for this result, Wilkinson told the crowd of over 250 in Edmonton. Studies in primates show that lower ranking individuals exhibit higher stress levels, because they must be constantly on watch for the dominant. Humans show the same biological response. And long term stress is bad for your health.

Wilkinson’s work goes yet another step. The research shows, he argued, that the ill-effects of inequality don’t just affect individuals, but have a detrimental impact on everyone in that community.

"In more unequal societies, people are more violent, less trusting and less likely to be involved in community life," said Dr. Wilkinson. "The social and economic structure of society has a powerful influence on people’s psychosocial welfare."

The results of Wilkinson’s work has far-reaching political and social consequences. Policy directions in Canada have been heading in the wrong direction, viewed from the perspective of Wilkinson’s work.

Wilkinson sees his research as providing a clear political direction. "Excuses for governments to drag their feet over the reduction of inequality are thin on the ground. If we are to improve health and social capital, if we are to free ourselves of anti-social prejudices and create a more inclusive society, the reduction of inequalities must surely be a key political objective."