Wealth and health in a class society
The last two decades of hard line capitalism in New Zealand have divided our society.

The free market fans have always claimed the key to a better life is through 'growing the economic cake.' However, the hard facts show that life for the rich is getting better while those with less money are being left behind – especially in areas such as health.

A major study into the health of New Zealanders has found that growing inequality between rich and poor has confirmed the widening divisions in our society.

One of the authors of the study Associate Professor Tony Blakely says: "Money can buy you better health by the ability to afford a healthier diet, live in a nicer neighbourhood, relieve stress by going on holidays, and so on. Therefore, it seems an inescapable conclusion that some of the increasing inequalities in health during the 1980s and 1990s were a result of increasing income gaps between the rich and poor."

He adds "Looking to the future, then, if the gaps in income between the rich and poor are closed, we should reduce (or at least slow down the increase in) health inequalities. Moreover, as differences in health exist right across the range of incomes (not just for the poor compared to the rich), the majority of the population stands to benefit in health terms."

The full study can be found at the University of Otago.

The overall policies of the Alliance Party address the problems of distribution of wealth, as well as ensuring that good quality health services are available to all. This is both a more humane solution, and one that in the long term will mean a healthier and more productive society.
- posted by Victor @ 11:20 PM