Income Inequality and Health Outcomes: A Challenge to Sustainable Development in Nigeria-Focus on Nasarawa State
Angbas, Jonathan Avreson; Pam, Mary & Eshaleku, O Zacharia
Department of Economics
Plateau State University, Bokkos
Email: avrenab@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the impact of income distribution and inequality on the health of the people in Nasarawa State using socioeconomic and cross sectional data from the three Senatorial districts of the state drawn from a field survey and analyzed through a bivariate model. The study finds that income inequality which has worsened over the years in Nigeria and especially in rural areas has affected health outcome of the populace negatively. The overriding reason is lack of access to the means of production. Although individuals desire to lead healthy lives due to its multiple impact on their social, economic, productive and political life, this is often difficult to realize due to the incidence of poverty accentuated by low incomes and rising inequality. Not only are income levels low in most developing countries, but that its distribution is severely skewed against the poor leading to worsening inequality. This has implications for the attainment of optimum health of the populace as intended by the Millennium declaration of the United Nations. If health care is to be financed from private incomes- as is currently the case-and against a poor and unorganized insurance framework, then the health of the people will be greatly compromised. This then means that individuals will become more vulnerable to disease conditions with its attendant negative effects. Opportunities that can enhance incomes of the very poor in society must be vigorously addressed if attaining sustainable development is to be achieved.
Keywords: Income, Inequality, Health outcome, Sustainable Development, Poverty Reduction
