Income Inequality, Income, and Health Over the Later Life Course in Europe: A Longitudinal and Cross-National Study
2024
Income Inequality and Health in Older Adults
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Cheng Mengling, Sommet Nicolas, Spini Dario
Primary Institution: University of Lausanne
Hypothesis
How does the effect of income on later-life health trajectory vary across more unequal and less unequal societies?
Conclusion
Income inequality can modify the effects of individual income on health as individuals age.
Supporting Evidence
- The effect of income on life satisfaction among older adults is more pronounced in unequal countries.
- The effect of income inequality on life satisfaction weakens as individuals age.
- The importance of income on life satisfaction decreases over the life course across societies with varying levels of income inequality.
Takeaway
This study found that in countries with high income inequality, money matters more for older people's happiness, but this effect gets weaker as they get older.
Methodology
The study used multilevel modelling to analyze data from the Standardized World Income Inequality Database and the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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