Study on the Impact of Income Gap on Health Level of Rural Residents in China

Paradoxical Effects of Income and Income Inequality on Racial Health Disparities

The intersection of race and place in shaping health disparities presents complex dynamics, as evidenced by studies in cities like Detroit, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, where predominantly Black and economically disadvantaged populations experience high overall rates of health problems. Surprisingly, these cities do not exhibit the most pronounced racial disparities. In contrast, areas with a higher percentage of White residents, indicative of greater income inequality, show stark differences in health outcomes between Black and White populations. This disparity underscores how conditions diverge more sharply between Black and White individuals in wealthier urban areas. This phenomenon suggests a complex and sometimes counterintuitive relationship among race, place, income, and income inequality in shaping racial health disparities. These dynamics have significant policy implications. Addressing health disparities requires nuanced strategies that recognize the multiplicative effects of race and income inequality on health outcomes. Policies focusing on areas with a high disease burden, such as Detroit, Philadelphia, and Baltimore can effectively mitigate disparities both locally and more broadly. Conversely, interventions targeting regions with lower disease prevalence, but higher racial disparities must be approached carefully to avoid exacerbating inequalities. In conclusion, understanding and addressing the complex drivers of health disparities demand comprehensive approaches that acknowledge the intertwined influences of race, income, and place. By prioritizing interventions that address economic disparities alongside health initiatives, policymakers can foster more equitable health outcomes across diverse communities.

The Impact of Multidimensional Poverty on Rural Households' Health: From a Perspective of Social Capital and Family Care

Although absolute poverty has been eliminated in rural China, multidimensional poverty has an unstoppable impact on the self-rated health of rural households through multiple dimensions. This study constructed a moderated mediation model with multidimensional poverty as the independent variable to explore the impact on rural households' self-rated health, social capital as a mediating variable, and family care as a moderating variable. We used the survey data of 382 sample out-of-poverty rural households in Jiangxi, China, in 2020. Our results indicated that multidimensional poverty had a detrimental impact on the self-rated health and social capital of rural households, both of which were significant at the 1% level (β = -0.751, t = -4.775, and β = -0.197, t = -7.08). A test of the mediating effect of social capital using the mediation model found the mediating effect accounting for 84.95% of the entire effect of multidimensional poverty on rural households' self-rated health. Further, the interaction term between family care and multidimensional poverty and its beneficial effect on social capital as well as the interaction term between family care and social capital and its negative effect on rural household' self-rated health are both statistically significant at the 1% level (β = 0.558, t = -5.221 and β = -2.100, t = -3.304). It is revealed that multidimensional poverty affects rural households' self-rated health through social capital and that family care moderates the mediating pathway. Family care exacerbates the negative effect of multidimensional poverty on rural households' self-rated health and weakens the beneficial effect of social capital on rural households' self-rated health. The lower (higher) the level of family care, the more significant the positive (negative) effect of social capital on rural households' health. Therefore, rural households should prioritize building social capital and shifting the responsibility for family care. First, through enhancing housing infrastructure and establishing cultural and educational initiatives, households can improve their viability. Second, increasing engagement in group activities will enhance social networks and boost interpersonal connections. Finally, to lessen the stress on family caregivers, building socialized care services can cover the gap in family care.

Study on the Impact of Government Health Expenditure Equity on Residents' Health Level in the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle of China

BACKGROUND

When the global COVID-19 epidemic continues to spread, residents pay more attention to their health. This paper studies the relationship between the equity of government health expenditure and the health level of residents.

METHODS

The Theil index and a principal component analysis were used to measure the equity of government health expenditure and the health level of residents in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. Then, an empirical study on the relationship between the equity of government health expenditure and the health level of residents in this region was conducted with the System GMM model.

RESULTS

1. The Theil index rose from 0.0115 in 2015 to 0.0231 in 2017 and gradually decreased to 0.0106 in 2020. 2. The overall health level of residents showed an upward trend, rising from 1.95 in 2015 to 2.33 in 2017, then remained high and fluctuated slightly. 3. There was a positive correlation between the Theil index and the health level of residents at a significance level of 1% (β = 0.903, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

1. The Theil index was close to 0, indicating that the equity of government health expenditure in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle was generally good. 2. The health level of residents in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle had improved compared to before. 3. The fairer the government's health expenditure, the higher the residents' health level.