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Title: Income inequality and cardiovascular risk factors in South Africa

Citation Type: Conference Paper

Publication Year: 2015

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Abstract: Research and theory suggest that societal income inequality may be associated with worse health outcomes, and that chronic stress linked to income disparity may increase risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). South Africa consistently has had one of the highest levels of income inequality in the world. In addition, several risk factors for CVD and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, and high alcohol consumption, are highly prevalent in South Africa, and in some instances growing. Given limited research on the relationship between income inequality and health in this setting and given the growing burden of NCDs, the present study uses longitudinal data to examine whether district-level income inequality and changes in inequality within South Africa are associated with risk factors for CVD at the individual level. We hypothesized that increases in income inequality will be associated with greater risk for CVD risk factors.

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Authors: Adjaye-Gbewonyo, Kafui; Kawachi, I; Subramanian, S V; Avendano, M

Conference Name: Inaugural Forum on Population Health Equity

Publisher Location: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Data Collections: IPUMS International

Topics: Health

Countries: South Africa