Income inequality, the extent to which income is distributed unevenly among a population, has profound implications for public health. Research indicates that societies with higher levels of income inequality tend to have worse health outcomes overall. This phenomenon can be explained by the social determinants of health, which include education, employment, and social support networks. In highly unequal societies, individuals experience higher levels of stress, lower social cohesion, and reduced access to essential services, all of which contribute to poorer health outcomes.
