Income

The level of income has been found to be correlated with a wide range of health indicators. In fact many of the measures we use to look at social disadvantage are proxies for income - something that is not easily measured at a local level.

Of particular concern are those on the lowest incomes and living in poverty. The issue of poverty and low income is a recurrent theme in studies of health inequality. Poverty is generally regarded as the most important determinant of health, and also one of the most difficult areas in which to achieve change. Levels of disposable income affect the way we live, the quality of the home and work environment, and the ability of mothers to provide the kind of care for their children they want to. The relationship between health and low income exists across almost all health indicators. Some of the most obvious effects of health inequality are seen in:

• Premature mortality and morbidity: Strongly related to indicators of low income (Eames et al, 1993). Even at a borough level in London, premature mortality rates (i.e. before age 65) in the most deprived boroughs are nearly double those in the least deprived. There is evidence that this gap in health between the most and least well-off areas is increasing (Bardsley & Morgan, 1996).

• Infant mortality rates: Tend to be higher in the more deprived communities. These will cover stillbirths, neonatal deaths and infant mortality.

• Low birthweight: Inappropriate nourishment or smoking can reduce infant and pre-natal development. Slow early growth is associated with a range of health problems in later life.

• Poor nutrition: Consequent poor physical development can affect cognitive development in children.

• Mental health problems: Stress and depression reduce parents' stimulation of the child and disrupt emotional attachment.

• Health related behaviours: Smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise (for example) can be more common in lower income social groups. Increasing the opportunities for healthier lifestyles is one way to achieve significant long-term health gains.

• Emergency admissions to hospital: Much higher in the most deprived areas of London.

• Accidents and injury to children: Tend to be more common in low income groups and there is some evidence of an increasing divide between social classes.

• Communicable diseases: including respiratory and gastrointestinal disease tend to be higher amongst families in poor quality housing.

Taken from the http://www.lho.org.uk/HIL/Determinants_Of_Health/Income.aspx

London Health Observatory - Income

http://www.lho.org.uk/HIL/Determinants_Of_Health/Income.aspx