A study analyzing data from the Health Survey for England found that people living in areas of high deprivation are likely to have worse health than those in less deprived areas, even when reporting their own health as 'poor'. This could lead to underestimation of health inequalities and inaccurate allocation of resources.
A new metric assesses cities globally, uncovering significant inequalities in access to services. The research team developed a relocation algorithm to understand how to increase accessibility and reduce inequality in urban areas.
A recent study found that both the rich and poor significantly overestimate or underestimate each other's carbon footprints, highlighting a profound inequality. The researchers surveyed 4,000 people from four countries and discovered that those in the top 10% tended to support climate policies, possibly due to higher education levels.
Research shows that Global South cities have limited urban greenery, resulting in higher temperatures and increased heat-related illnesses. The study suggests vast potential for enhancing urban cooling through green spaces, particularly in slums where the risk of climate change-induced deaths is highest.
A study published in Nature Medicine found that countries with greater inequalities have older brain ages due to environmental factors like pollution and socioeconomic disparities. Participants from diverse geographical populations showed varying levels of brain age gaps, particularly those with dementia.
A new study by Richard Boylan found that geographic disparities in US homicide rates have decreased since the 1970s, contradicting expectations. Economic and social inequalities between regions have grown, but violent crime rates have fallen, with possible explanations including improved policing and incarceration rates.
A new study finds that pollution levels significantly impact households' decision to relocate within the US, with poorer families being priced out of healthier areas. Richer households, on the other hand, opt for cleaner environments, earning more than average in their new communities.
A new study by Neil Sehgal and Ashwini Sehgal found that US Congress members whose ancestors enslaved 16 or more people had a net worth five times higher than those without slaveholding history. The researchers noted limitations, including lack of information on pre-1776 slavery and potential biases in the dataset.
Researchers found that adopting plant-based diets could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from food supply chains by 17%, saving 32.4% of global dietary emissions. This would balance the increase in emissions from under-consumed populations moving towards healthier diets.
A new study by Lancaster University highlights that women are more likely than men to experience 'digital overload' and burnout due to their greater use of digital technologies in both work and family lives. The research emphasizes the need for gender-egalitarian work-from-home arrangements and policies to address this issue.
Research highlights life course impact of neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage on premature mortality. Persistent low socioeconomic status from young to middle adulthood significantly increases risk of early death.
Research shows that wealthy countries in the Global North benefit from unequal exchange with the Global South, net-appropriating 826 billion hours of labor. This amounts to a wage value of €16.9 trillion, equivalent to half of total consumption in the Global North.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly widened existing economic and health disparities, slowing progress toward health-related Sustainable Development Goals. Low-income countries can expect an average progress loss of 16.5% across all health indicators.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 24, 2024
A new study found that consumers value counterfeit luxury products for their 'egalitarian value', a sense of restoring equality in society. The research, involving over 2000 participants from Sweden and the US, suggests that perceived income inequality is a major driver behind people buying fake luxury items.
A new study has found that mothers working in traditionally 'women's work' fields experience a significant wage penalty after becoming parents. Women without children earn up to 12% more than their mother counterparts, highlighting the persistence of patriarchal biases in the workplace.
A study of 156,000 UK residents found that urban living is linked to lower levels of well-being, social satisfaction, and economic satisfaction. Urban residents exhibit greater psychological inequality, particularly in terms of income and financial satisfaction.
A recent study found significant and unequal mortality increases in India during the COVID-19 pandemic, with marginalized social groups experiencing greater life expectancy declines than privileged groups. The study estimated that 17% of overall mortality was higher in 2020 compared to 2019, resulting in 1.19 million excess deaths.
A new tool has been developed to compare gender inequality among different US states, revealing substantial gender disparities across the country. States with higher gender inequality scores tend to have lower measures of women's wellbeing and fewer tweets about the #MeToo movement.
A new report by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine offers key findings on reducing health inequities and improving healthcare outcomes for marginalized communities. The report highlights complex interactions driving inequality and recommends community-based approaches to address these disparities.
Children and adolescents are aware of and motivated to address inequalities in the classroom, expecting peers from disadvantaged groups to view unfair treatment negatively. They also desire to rectify these inequalities by selecting a student who has been disadvantaged before.
A new study led by archaeologists at the University of Auckland has made connections between a rise in population, land demarcation, and social status in Sāmoan society. The discovery of ancient structures reveals insights into the origins of hierarchical societies in Polynesia.
A new study by Khanh Duong found that family conditions have a significant impact on upward social mobility, with parental dependency having the largest negative effect. Gender inequality also affects mobility, but its effect is smaller and decreasing across generations.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 20, 2024
A national study analyzed university policies and resources to identify the most supportive institutions for academic couples. The research found that public universities were more likely to create faculty positions for partners than private universities.
A new index reveals that election administration performance varies widely among counties, with lower-performing areas often having greater numbers of low-income people and racial minorities. The study found that urban areas tended to rank lowest on the index, while more affluent counties performed better.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology found that socioeconomic status significantly impacts the quality of life of women diagnosed with breast cancer. Women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds experience more pronounced physical and psychological side effects, despite similar medical treatment.
Generative AI has both positive and negative effects on social equality, impacting work, education, healthcare, information, and misinformation. Policymakers are urged to implement policies such as tax code changes, data unions, and anti-misinformation campaigns to ensure the technology is used to increase equality
A new Drexel University study found that domestic income inequality unevenly impacts different emission components in wealthy nations. The research suggests that reducing income concentration at the top end of the distribution could synergistically reduce emissions, but might increase direct end-user emissions. Policies aiming to impro...
A study by Imperial College London researchers shows that focusing on urban sources of fine-particle air pollution can reduce health inequalities in deprived areas. By targeting these sources, the UK population's exposure to PM2.5 air pollution can be reduced, benefiting everyone while alleviating the impact on the most vulnerable.
A study by the University of Exeter found that motivational messaging encouraging women to be resilient in the face of setbacks can reduce their willingness to protest gender discrimination. This could hinder progress towards achieving gender equality.
A new study found that daily temperature variation has a disproportionate impact on marginalized groups, particularly Black and brown communities, with greater swings in temperature on average. The researchers used satellite data to analyze temperature patterns across the US, finding that densely populated regions with limited green sp...
Large daily temperature variation has been linked to elevated mortality in various studies. Black and Hispanic populations in the US face significant DTV exposure due to limited green spaces, resulting in temperature swings of up to 3 degrees Celsius.
A new study suggests that a 'smoke-free generation' policy may not be enough to meet the UK's levelling up agenda, with health inequalities still being a major concern. The research concludes that a smoking ban would extend working lives but is not enough to narrow the gap between prosperous and deprived areas.
Expert Insight provides a guide for transplant centers to monitor and address health disparities, including measures of socioeconomic status. The authors emphasize the need for transparency in the transplant process and equitable outcomes. By implementing these measures, transplant centers can improve patient access and quality of care.
The HPV vaccination programme is helping to close health inequalities in cervical cancer, with most cases prevented in more deprived groups. The study found that the vaccine reduced cervical cancer incidence rates by nearly 90% and pre-cancerous conditions by around 95% in women who received routine vaccination at 12-13 years old.
This study emphasizes the importance of social determinants in ICU rehabilitation delivery for older adults. Inequities in rehabilitation delivery were found to be associated with various social factors, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities.
Research from Binghamton University reveals that worker rights, including forming trade unions and bargaining collectively, are the most vulnerable human rights. The study finds that economic globalization has led to increased competition between governments and corporations, resulting in reduced labor protections in many countries.
New research reveals that women entrepreneurs face significant biases in startup financing, with higher loan rejection rates and poorer credit terms. The study found that societies with greater women's empowerment actually exacerbate these gaps, suggesting a need for policy interventions to address the issue.
Climate change is exacerbating inequalities and insecurity among migrant women and girls, who account for 80% of all climate displacement. A new international legal framework is needed to address these issues and promote gender-sensitive policies and legislations.
A new study found that sibling criminal legal system contact disrupts home life for siblings and families, leading to increased behavioral issues in children, financial and material hardship for parents, and lower levels of social support. The study suggests that mass criminalization imperils families and children.
Researchers analyzed firm-level data from the global supply network, revealing that wealthy nations are only exposed to supply chain disruptions from other high-income countries. Poor and developing nations are disproportionately affected by economic shocks due to their structural embeddedness in their local or national supply chains.
A new review links poverty and low socioeconomic status to brain changes that influence educational attainment, psychiatric illness, and language development. Chronic stress, poor nutrition, and environmental hazards can impair brain development, leading to negative consequences for individuals and families.
Experts say the dominant literature on political polarization is inadequate for Latin America, citing a lack of evidence linking increased social inequality to polarized politics. Instead, research suggests that other factors, such as changes in political behavior and institutional instability, may be driving the crisis.
A new study from China found that higher GDP per capita and lower income inequality are associated with increased subjective well-being. However, when income inequality becomes too high, the link between economy and mental health disappears. The researchers advocate for a balanced approach to economic planning.
Midlife mortality rates for deaths of despair, including suicide, overdose, and liver disease, vary by race and ethnicity, with higher rates among Black and American Indian/Alaska Native populations. Early mortality from drug- and alcohol-related causes contributes to these disparities.
Researchers from USP produced maps showing areas of highest air pollution concentration and peak emissions periods; bus drivers have higher exposure levels than car or subway users. The study also found that green spaces have the best air quality, while high-rise buildings negatively affect dispersion.
A new study found that understanding racial inequities in healthcare access can have a negative impact on both Black and white populations' views of their own health. Accurate awareness is crucial, but also poses an additional burden on Black individuals, causing unnecessary stress.
A study by Rebecca Walker found that places with historic racial covenants had lower temperatures, more tree canopy, and less impervious surfaces, indicating reduced exposure to extreme heat. This is particularly pronounced in middle- and lower-income neighborhoods where the covenants have a significant impact.
Researchers analyzed access to new treatments for early-stage lung cancer in Europe, highlighting existing disparities in healthcare systems and reimbursement structures. The study calls for a collective European approach to reduce inequalities in access to care.
A study found that Medicaid expansion primarily benefits higher-earning healthcare workers, with no notable effects on lower-wage staff. The findings suggest a potential widening of economic inequality within the healthcare sector.
Scientists develop a new mathematical principle to understand cooperation among individuals with different characteristics. Their model suggests that a more equal distribution of resources is necessary for diversities to sustain cooperation, but not for maximum general welfare.
A new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found a causal link between government policies and mental health decline in people with Black Caribbean heritage. The research team analyzed data from over 58,000 participants and found an increase in psychological distress after the 2014 Immigration Act and the Windrush scandal.
A recent study of 35,000 adults aged 50+ found significant inequities in survival rates associated with wealth inequality in the US. Wealth redistribution policies have been proposed as a solution to reduce these disparities and increase population longevity.
A new study found that heatwaves in Brazil are disproportionately affecting female, elderly, Black, Brown, and low-education individuals, resulting in a staggering 48,075 deaths between 2000 and 2018. The research highlights the need for targeted efforts to reduce mortality rates during future heatwaves.
A new study published in the Annals of Epidemiology found that bisexual individuals reported higher levels of police contact and law enforcement harassment in Canada. The study's authors call for greater police training to improve interactions with sexual minority persons and intervention efforts to support them after adverse experiences.
A study of U.S. families with employer-sponsored health insurance found a significant association between rising premiums and reduced annual earnings, as well as increased earnings inequality by race and ethnicity and wage level. The research suggests that this growth may have contributed to wage stagnation over the past three decades.
A recent study found that cigarette smoking among US adolescents decreased significantly from 1991 to 2021, with decreases in all usage categories. The decline was particularly pronounced among Black and Asian adolescents, while disparities by gender remained but were diminished.
A recent study from Queen Mary University of London has found that sociocultural factors significantly influence the genetic diversity of modern societies. The research analyzed genetic data from hundreds of individuals across the Americas, revealing striking differences in mating patterns between Latin America and North America.
A study found that patients with breast cancer are more likely to choose distant hospitals for surgery based on factors such as age, ethnicity, and living location. The investigation highlights the potential for healthcare inequalities to worsen if policies do not address these disparities.
Tackling inequality is vital to mitigate climate change effectively, as wealthy individuals often have greater ability to reduce their carbon footprint. Deep-rooted inequalities restrict people's capacity to switch to lower-carbon behaviours, making it essential for policymakers to provide equal opportunities across all income brackets.
A study published in Nature predicts that climate change will lead to a 9% loss of ecosystem services by 2100, with the poorest 50% of countries expected to bear 90% of the damages. The study's findings highlight the importance of accounting for natural systems and human well-being within economic frameworks.