Inequality Index Research Articles

Socioeconomic patterns in indoor environment in Denmark: cross-sectional studies from 2000 and 2021

ObjectivesTo examine changes and socioeconomic patterns in indicators of a poor indoor environment in 2000 and 2021. Study designCross-sectional data from the Danish Health and Morbidity Survey in 2000 and 2021. MethodsThe study included 27,068 participants. Indicators of indoor environment (annoyances from mould, temperature, draught, traffic and neighbour noise, and presence of water damage) were obtained from questionnaires (2021) and partly by interview (2000). Socioeconomic status included home ownership, educational level, and household income. The degree of social inequality in the indoor environment was estimated using the concentration index of inequality. ResultsThe prevalence of annoyances due to draught, temperature, and noise increased significantly from 2000 to 2021 (e.g., temperature 5.9%–25.1%, odds ratio (OR) 6.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.12–7.38), whereas the prevalence of water damage decreased (17.7%–13.8%, OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.76–0.96). No difference was seen in annoyances due to mould (3.1% in 2000 and 2.5% in 2021, OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.69–1.17). Social inequality was present for thermal conditions, annoyances due to noise and presence of water damage when assessed by income but not by educational level. Conditions were more prevalent among individuals with low income in both 2000 and 2021. ConclusionsThe proportion of individuals reporting a poor indoor environment due to thermal conditions and noise increased in the period 2000–2021. Social inequality was observed in all indicators of a poor indoor environment for household income, whereas the inequality was less pronounced when assessed by educational level.

The joint distribution of years lived in good and poor health

BackgroundIncidence-based multistate models of population health are commonly applied to calculate state expectancies, such as a healthy life expectancy (HLE), or unhealthy life expectancy (UHE). These models also allow the computation of other summary indices, such as the distributions of healthy or unhealthy lifespans.ObjectiveWe aim to show how a multistate health model implies a multistate death distribution, giving joint information on years lived in good and poor health. We also propose three aggregate indices of joint health and mortality inequality.MethodsWe propose a double-accounting approach to increment-decrement life table methods to intuitively derive a multistate health distribution over age and cumulative duration spent in each state. We then define a variety of summary lifespan inequality indices based on different distance metrics, namely Euclidean, Chebyshev, and Manhattan distances.ResultsWe apply the method to multistate transition probabilities between health states based on the activities of daily living index for Italian women from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe in 2015-2017. We demonstrate the added value of accounting for joint years lived in health states in multistate models for our understanding of the period health and mortality conditions from the perspective of health-specific lifespans of individuals.ConclusionsMultivariate state distributions and summary indices derived from them give a holistic representation of population health inequality. We offer selected summary indices of the multivariate distribution with different demographic interpretations from the measures derived from univariate distributions. Although more theoretical and methodological work is required to motivate a single comprehensive population health inequality index, this direction is a promising path for a better understanding of population health dynamics and relationships between univariate statistics.

Spatiotemporal characteristics and socioeconomic inequalities in water, sanitation, and hygiene access in China from 2000 to 2020: analysis of data from three national censuses

BackgroundAccess to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities presents a significant global public health challenge. This study aims to investigate the temporal and spatial characteristics of WASH access in mainland China, as well as the socioeconomic equity, using data from national censuses.MethodsWe analyzed households’ data from three national censuses spanning 2000 to 2020 to examine the characteristics of safe water, sanitary toilets, and hygiene bathing facilities over time. Spatial clustering of WASH facilities in 2020 was assessed using Moran's I analysis. Socioeconomic disparities in WASH access across provinces were quantified using the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and Relative Index of Inequality (RII).ResultsBetween 2000 and 2020, access to safe water in China increased significantly from 45.7% to 91.3%, access to sanitary toilets rose from 18.7% to 78.5%, and access to hygiene bathing facilities climbed from 26.0% to 88.4%, reflecting continuous improvements in WASH access. Urban areas consistently outperformed rural areas, and the eastern region showed higher access rates compared to the central and western regions. Spatial analysis revealed statistically significant clustering of sanitary toilets and hygiene bathing facilities at the provincial level in 2020. Equity analysis indicated a notable improvement in the fairness of WASH access over the past two decades, with decreases observed in both SII and RII metrics.ConclusionMainland China has made substantial strides in enhancing WASH access over the last 20 years, accompanied by significant improvements in provincial equity. However, persistent regional disparities underscore the need for targeted financial support to rural, central, and western regions to further enhance WASH accessibility.

Empowering voices: unveiling the dynamics of women's NGOs and state relations in Turkey

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the gender perceptions of members within women’s NGOs in Türkiye, highlighting the persistence of patriarchal values despite the rise in these organizations. The study provides insights into the influence of socio-political factors and demographic variables on gender attitudes within these organizations.Design/methodology/approachThe research utilized a survey conducted among 735 members of women’s NGOs in Istanbul and Ankara, gathering quantitative data on their attitudes toward gender inequality. The study employs a gender inequality index, supplemented with demographic and personal factors like age, marital status, education, political ideology and religiosity.FindingsFindings reveal that members of women’s NGOs often exhibit gender-inequitable attitudes, influenced by factors such as age, religiosity, political ideology and education. Contrary to expectations, these NGOs do not uniformly promote feminist values, and gender inequity is deeply entrenched within the organizational culture.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited by its focus on two major cities, which may not reflect the experiences of NGO members in other regions of Türkiye. The findings underscore the necessity to address structural constraints within women’s NGOs to promote genuine gender equality.Practical ImplicationsThis research suggests the need for critical awareness and capacity-building within women’s NGOs in Türkiye. Policymakers and organizational leaders can use these insights to develop targeted interventions that enhance gender consciousness and challenge patriarchal norms in civil society.Originality/valueThis study provides a novel exploration of gender attitudes within women’s NGOs in Türkiye, challenging the assumption that such organizations inherently promote feminist ideals. By combining empirical data with a socio-political analysis, the research reveals how entrenched patriarchal values persist within organizations that advocate for gender equality. This work contributes to understanding the complexities and contradictions in civil society’s role in gender politics, offering valuable insights for scholars and practitioners interested in gender, civil society and socio-political dynamics in Türkiye.

Socioeconomic Variation in Tobacco Smoking Among the Adult Population in Ireland.

Differences in smoking prevalence across socioeconomic groups are a major driver of health inequalities. Although smoking prevalence continues to decline across most developed countries, socioeconomic inequalities in smoking still persist. While Ireland is among a small number of countries with a tobacco-endgame goal set to achieve a smoking prevalence of 5% by 2025, the challenge this presents by socioeconomic status is uncharted. We analyzed how differences in smoking status across various socioeconomic groups have changed over time in the adult population in Ireland. We used cross-sectional smoking data from the national population-based Healthy Ireland Survey for 2015-2022 (n = 52494). Educational attainment and area-based deprivation were used as socioeconomic indicators. Socioeconomic differences and changes in inequality over time were identified using the relative index of inequality (RII). Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze the association between socioeconomic status and daily smoking, occasional smoking, former smoking, and never smoking with adjustment for sex, age, and survey year. We observed the highest daily smoking rates among the least educated (OR = 11.62; 95% CI = 9.91, 13.63) and individuals living in the most deprived areas (OR = 4.23; 95% CI = 3.55, 5.04). Additionally, we identified significant relative smoking inequalities over the observation period continued to increase, among the least educated (RII = 2.86, 95%CI = 2.63, 3.09) and individuals living in the most deprived areas (RII = 2.64, 95% CI = 2.36, 2.93). Despite generally reducing smoking prevalence, socioeconomic inequalities continue to widen among the smoking population in Ireland. As the tobacco endgame deadline of 2025 is fast approaching, this study highlights the urgent need to consider potential effects across the lowest socioeconomic status groups when implementing equity-oriented tobacco control policies.

Geographical health inequalities in India: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare access and healthcare inequality

PurposeWith an emphasis on spatial health disparities, this study examines how COVID-19 has affected healthcare access and inequality in India. The study developed the Healthcare Access Index (HAI) and Healthcare Inequality Index (HII) to assess the pandemic’s effects on healthcare. The study addresses spatial health disparities in healthcare access and inequality, filling gaps in the literature. The final aim of the study is to offer policy suggestions to lessen healthcare inequities in India, particularly in the context of COVID-19.Design/methodology/approachThe study incorporates secondary data from publicly accessible databases such as the National Family Health Survey, Niti-Ayog and Indian Census databases and employs a quantitative research design. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare access and healthcare inequality in India is examined using the HAI and the HII. The five dimensions of healthcare access – availability, accessibility, accommodation, cost and acceptability – were used in developing the HAI. The study uses a panel data analysis methodology to examine the HAI and HII scores for 19 states over the pre-COVID-19 (2015) and post-COVID-19 (2020) periods. In order to investigate the connection between healthcare access, healthcare inequality and the COVID-19 pandemic, the analysis employs statistical tests such as descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, factor analysis and visualization analysis.FindingsAccording to the study, COVID-19 impacted healthcare access and inequality in India, with notable regional inequalities between states. The pandemic has increased healthcare disparities by widening the gap between states with high and low HII ratings. Healthcare access is closely tied to healthcare inequality, with lower levels of access being associated with more significant levels of inequality. The report advises governmental initiatives to lessen healthcare disparities in India, such as raising healthcare spending, strengthening healthcare services in underperforming states and enhancing healthcare infrastructure.Practical implicationsFor Indian healthcare authorities and practitioners, the study has significant ramifications. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a main focus on addressing geographic gaps in healthcare access and inequality. The report suggests upgrading transportation infrastructure, lowering out-of-pocket costs, increasing health insurance coverage and enhancing healthcare infrastructure and services in underperforming states. The HAI and the HII are tools that policymakers can use to identify states needing immediate attention and appropriately spend resources. These doable recommendations provide a framework for lowering healthcare disparities in India and enhancing healthcare outcomes for all communities.Originality/valueThe study’s originality resides in establishing the HAI and HII indices, using panel data analysis and assessing healthcare inequality regarding geographic disparities. Policy choices targeted at lowering healthcare disparities and enhancing healthcare outcomes for all people in India can be informed by the study’s practical consequences.

“A Fly in the Ointment”: The Barriers to Portuguese Female Political Participation

The latest data from the Gender Equality Index ranks Portugal 10th in female political power. Despite a larger female resident population, parity in access to power and decision-making remains limited. Research on local political power reveals low female representation within parties and a lack of motivation to recruit or affiliate women. This study utilizes thematic analysis eight interviews with women in political leadership positions to identify barriers to female political participation in the Portuguese context. Key questions addressed include the following: How do media representation, role models, stereotypes, and cultural norms impact the political arena? Is it the lack of representation that deters women, or does the political environment alienate them? The analysis explores how media portrayal, stereotypes, double standards, scrutiny, and cultural norms interconnect, perpetuating the political arena as a male-dominated space, thereby marginalizing women politicians.

The burden and trends of heart failure caused by ischemic heart disease at the global, regional, and national levels from 1990 to 2021.

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a major cause of heart failure (HF), a condition expected to increasingly affect global health and economics. This study evaluates the global burden, trends, and disparities of HF linked to IHD, aiming to inform health policy development. Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD2021) is analyzed using Joinpoint regression, decomposition analysis, and Bayesian age-period-cohort analysis (BAPC). Health disparities are assessed through the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) via the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and the Concentration Index (CI), with future trends projected from 2022 to 2045. In 2021, global HF cases due to IHD were over 19.16 million, with an age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) of 228.31 per 100 000 [95% UI, 188.18 to 279.55] and age-standardized years lived with disability (ASYLDs) rate of 20.43 per 100 000 [95% UI, 13.55 to 28.7].In 2021, there was a 2.87% increase in ASPR and ASYLDs compared to 1990, primarily driven by population growth and aging.Significant reductions in global ASPR and ASYLDs disparities are observed, though the disease burden has intensified in countries with lower SDI levels. Projections indicate that by 2045, while the prevalence and YLDs for HF caused by IHD will increase, while the ASPR and ASYLDs are expected to decrease. The global burden of HF from IHD remains a significant concern. Urgent improvements in the allocation of medical resources and the implementation of effective prevention and management strategies are necessary to address this issue.

Atkinson Index Detector for Spectrum Sensing

Recently, a new approach for designing detectors for cooperative spectrum sensing has been coined. It applies an incoming inequality index, which is normally used in economic and social sciences, to build a test statistic that operates on the entries of the received signal sample covariance matrix. The first detector designed using this approach was the Gini index detector (GID). This letter devises the Atkinson index detector (AID), which is shown to outperform the GID in many situations, with the special attribute of attaining a time complexity that grows linearly with the number of secondary users.

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Out-of-Pocket and Catastrophic Health Expenditures in Pakistan.

In Pakistan, healthcare utilization is linked to out-of-pocket payments (OOP) which disproportionately affect low-income households. We investigated socioeconomic inequality in OOP and catastrophic health expenditures (CHEs), and the contribution of sociodemographic factors to these inequalities. Socioeconomic inequalities were quantified using the concentration index (CI), and the slope (SII) and relative (RII) indices of inequality using data from three rounds of Household Integrated Economic Survey (2007-08, 2011-12, and 2018-19). Decomposition analyses were conducted using the Wagstaff and Erreygers approach. OOP payments increased from PKR 127 (2007-08) to PKR 250 (2018-19). CHEs in the most deprived quintile (Q1) changed from 8.3% (2007-08) to 13.7% (2018-19), and for the least deprived quintile (Q5) from 5.1% (2007-08) to 8.4% (2018-19). The OOP CI increased from 0.028 to 0.051, while the SII and RII increased from 0.89 to 1.32 and 1.18 to 1.36, respectively. Decomposition analysis showed that household size, composition, employment, and the province of residence explained much of the socioeconomic inequality in CHEs. Poor households experience high CHE, disproportionately impacting larger families with children and elderly members. Policymakers should implement targeted financial protection strategies to safeguard vulnerable households from the impoverishing effects of healthcare expenses.

Global burden and cross-country inequalities in diseases associated with high body mass index from 1990 to 2019: Result from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

High body mass index (BMI) has gradually become an increased risk factor for the global burden of diseases (GBD). As the disease burden and the number of elders globally increase, it is crucial for policymakers to realise the associations between high BMI and disease burden worldwide in a timely manner and to develop effective interventions for different countries and ages. We used the GBD 2019 database to analyse the deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in the disease burden associated with high BMI and indicated the health inequality at the global, regional, and national levels. We applied the slope index of inequality and concentration index, two standard metrics of absolute and relative gradient inequality recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), to quantify the distributive inequalities in the burden of diseases associated with high BMI. These rates were reported per 100 000 population as crude incidence rates, death rates, and DALYs rates. All the estimates were generated with a 95% uncertainty interval (UIs). Globally, we revealed that an estimated age-standardised mortality rate associated with high BMI is 6.26 million (95% UIs = 3.99, 8.91). The age-standardised DALYs rate is 19.32 million (95% UIs = 12.77, 26.40), and the global population attributable fraction was 9% (95% UIs = 5, 12) in 2019. The largest number of high-BMI-related deaths in women mainly concentrated in the age group of 65-79 years, whereas the largest number in men was in the age group of 60-69 years. The age-standardised DALYs rate of diseases associated with high BMI was larger in the high-middle and middle socio-demographic index (SDI) (population attributable fraction (PAF) = 11 and PAF = 9) regions than those with high SDI (PAF = 1) and low SDI (PAF = 5) regions. In this study, our results showed that the disease burden of global deaths and DALYs associated with high BMI has substantially increased between 1990-2019. Furthermore, we demonstrated that countries with higher SDI development levels shoulders higher burden of diseases associated with high BMI. Future policies to prevent and reduce the burden should be developed and implemented based on country-specific development status.

Role of Financial Development and ICT in Promoting Inclusive Growth in South Asia: Moderating Effects of Governance

The primary purpose of this study is to compute the index for inclusive growth by taking into account the indicators of poverty, income inequality, labor productivity, life expectancy, job creation, and climate. Calculating the index accomplished by the utilization of principal component analysis in order to acquire weights. Further in the study, the influence of financial development, governance, consumption, and economic growth on inclusive growth for selected south Asian economies (Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal) is measured. The data is gathered from the World Development Index (WDI), the World Governance Index (WGI), the Internet Subscriber Database, and the International Monetary Fund Development Database. Due to the fact that the data spans from the year 2000 to the year 2023 and that missing values are interpolated through the use of trend projection, a fully balanced panel data sheet has been generated. Through descriptive statistic and VIF, prerequisite information is gathered to see the robustness of model. When it came time to make a decision on the unit root testing, the cross-sectional dependency test utilized to seek guidance. According to the findings, there is no evidence of cross-sectional dependency, and the first generation of unit root tests utilized. The stationarity results of mixed order of integration and T>N indicate the use of panel ARDL. Additionally, in order to see the influence that governance has on inclusive growth in connection to financial development, the moderator effect of governance also inquired. Based on the findings, it is concluded that regulatory quality is not playing a significant moderator role of the financial development towards inclusive growth in selected economies of south Asia. Drawing the inferences from the results of the study it is suggested that to expand the financial inclusion by supporting the digital financial services particularly in marginalized areas.

Education Inequality in India: An Empirical Analysis Using National Sample Survey Data

Education Inequality in India: An Empirical Analysis Using National Sample Survey Data

Global health inequalities in the burden of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis from 1990 to 2021

BackgroundInterstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis remain serious medical problems worldwide. This study aims to assess the global burden and health inequalities of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis between 1990 and 2021.MethodsData on disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis were obtained from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study 2021. The slope index of inequality (SII) and concentration index were used to assess cross-national health inequality.ResultsThere were 2,237,269 (95% uncertainty interval: 1,839,500 to 2,555,200) DALYs due to interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis in males and 1,804,881 DALYs (1,465,707 to 2,216,376) in females in 2021. The age-standardized DALY rate of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis increased from 37.1 (30.6 to 45.4) per 100,000 in 1990 to 47.6 (41.3 to 53.2) per 100,000 in 2021. Countries with high socio-demographic index (SDI) showed the greatest increase in the age-standardized DALY rate of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis during the past 32 years (53.4%, 45.1 to 62.2%). The SII increased from 19.6 (95% confidence interval: 11.6 to 27.5) in 1990 to 53.4 (39.7 to 67.1) in 2021. The concentration index increased from 0.15 (0.08 to 0.21) in 1990 to 0.23 (0.16 to 0.32) in 2021.ConclusionThe burden of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis increased and remained high in the high-SDI quintile. More attention must be given to reducing the burden of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Government Expenditure, Human Development Index and Regional Inequality in Indonesia

This study was conducted with the aim of measuring and analyzing the effect of regional government spending on regional inequality through the Human Development Index in Indonesia. This analysis was conducted using the Williamson index as an indicator of regional inequality. This study uses variables of human development spending, infrastructure spending, economic spending, human development index and regional inequality. The research method used is the statistical panel data approach of 34 provinces in Indonesia in 2017-2023 with the Multiple Regression Equation model with AMOS program path analysis. The test results in this study state that directly the variables of human development spending, infrastructure spending, economic spending, and the human development index have a significant effect on regional inequality in Indonesia. Indirectly, the variables of human development spending and economic spending have a significant effect on regional inequality in Indonesia through the human development index, while the variable of infrastructure spending does not affect regional inequality through the human development index.

Analysis of NSSO data sets for a spatial evaluation of water and housing inequality in India

Achieving all Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 to meet basic needs and improve quality of life has become ever more significant. This study examines the accessibility and factors affecting safe drinking water and housing across India's socioeconomic strata to support Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 06 and 11. The study also assesses government programs that provide affordable housing and safe water. This study analyses key aspects of the 76th National Social Survey on Housing and Sanitation (NSSO WASH) data on housing conditions and drinking water to determine how each component affects people's standard of living. Descriptive analysis, probit, and multinomial logistic regressions were used to tabulate socioeconomic factors such household size, location, gender, income, education, occupation type, social group, and scheme recipient. Our study found that there was 20% more likely that households in the lowest quintile income bracket have access to clean drinking water; thanks to government schemes like the National Rural Drinking Water Programme and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation. Due to socioeconomic inequities, some social groups are more likely to lack safe water services, according to the study. Gender and education, especially female family members, affect access to basic needs. Rural households get 26% less safe drinking water than urban households. Vulnerable groups face lack of access to clean water and safe housing/shelter due to these gaps. Further, a new composite index has been devised to assess housing and clean water inequalities across Indian states. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, research recommends increased government initiatives and investments, as well as appropriate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, for WASH conditions, boosting women's education and awareness in suboptimal states.

The evolution of inequality in Mozambique 1996/97–2019/20

ABSTRACT After decades of war, Mozambique experienced sustained economic growth and poverty reduction from the mid-1990s. However, these positive dynamics started to revert from 2015. Meanwhile, inequality stagnated in the period 1996/97–2008/09, before markedly increasing afterwards. In this study, we analyse some of the most relevant indicators of inequality for Mozambique and their trends over the last 25 years. Using real per capita consumption as the main welfare aggregate, we look at various indicators of inequality, including the consumption distribution, percentiles and percentile ratios, growth incidence curves, Lorenz curves, and Gini indices. In addition, we discuss spatial inequality. Overall, we find that until 2014/15, consumption increased for the whole population, but it did so much more for richer households; conversely, in the last few years, consumption has reduced across the distribution, but the relative consumption-gap between better- and worse-off people has continued to increase.

The global, regional, and national patterns of change in the burden of congenital birth defects, 1990–2021: an analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021 and forecast to 2040

Congenital birth defects (CBDs) present enormous challenges to global healthcare systems. These conditions severely impact patients' health and underscore issues related to socioeconomic development and healthcare accessibility and efficiency. Previous studies have been geographically limited and lacked comprehensive global analysis. This study provides global, regional, and national disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) data for four major congenital birth defects-congenital heart defects (CHD), neural tube defects (NTDs), digestive congenital anomalies (DCAs), and Down syndrome (DS) from 1990 to 2021, emphasizing health inequalities. The goal is to offer scientific evidence for optimizing resource allocation, focusing on high-burden populations, and reducing disease burden. This study systematically evaluated the global, regional, and national burden of CBDs and their changes from 1990 to 2021 using the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021. To conduct a more focused analysis, four specific CBDs were selected: CHD, NTDs, DCAs, and DS. DALYs were used as the metric, combined with the sociodemographic index (SDI). Analyses included the slope index of inequality and concentration index to measure health inequalities, frontier analysis to estimate achievable outcomes based on development levels, decomposition analysis to identify drivers of disease burden changes, Joinpoint regression analysis to assess temporal trends, and the Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model to predict future disease burden trends. Compared to 1990, the global burden of the CBDs in 2021 showed a downward trend. Males had a higher burden than females, with the highest burden observed in low-SDI regions. When examining CHD, NTDs, DCAs, and DS specifically, trends in burden changes varied across different CBDs at the global, regional, and national levels. Frontier analysis revealed potential for burden improvement in various countries and territories. Decomposition analysis highlighted differences in disease burden drivers across SDI regions, showing the greatest improvement observed in low-SDI regions. Joinpoint regression analysis indicated a downward trend in DALYs burden across SDI regions, and BAPC model predictions suggested that the burden of CBDs will continue to decline in the future. CBDs pose a major challenge to global public health. Despite an overall decline in disease burden, health inequalities remain prominent, particularly in countries and territories with lower levels of development. Future public health interventions should focus on countries and territories with low levels of development by optimizing healthcare resource allocation, improving basic health infrastructure, enhancing health education, and reducing disease burden inequalities. Global collaboration and data sharing are essential to promote a lifecycle management model for CBDs research and treatment, advancing global health development. This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82270310) and the Jiangsu Provincial Key Research and Development Program (No. BE2023662).

Changes in suicide inequalities in the context of an increase and a decrease in suicide mortality: The case of South Korea, 1995–2020

South Korea experienced a sharp increase until 2010 followed by a gradual decrease in suicide mortality. This study examined changes in socioeconomic inequalities in suicide over 25 years and how suicide inequalities changed in the context of both an increase and a decrease in suicide mortality. Data with five-year intervals were extracted from the Korean death registry and census data between 1995 and 2020. Using Poisson regression, four measures of suicide inequalities were calculated for the slope of inequality index (SII), relative index of inequality, rate ratios, and ratio differences. Educational inequalities in suicide were obvious across all sub-populations, measures, and periods. The widening of suicide inequalities, particularly with absolute measures, followed an increase in suicide mortality until 2010. In contrast, a decline of suicide inequalities concurred after 2010 during the period of a decline in suicide mortality. SII among the total population decreased by 35.4%, from 62.4 per 100,000 people (95% confidence interval [CI], 59.8–64.9) in 2010 to 40.3 (95% CI, 38.3–42.4) in 2020. The pattern of widening and narrowing in suicide inequalities observed in the whole population was only concordant with the older population. However, the younger and the middle-aged population showed a gradual increase or stalemate in the inequalities throughout the period. Overall, suicide inequalities narrowed in the recent decade. This decline was largely led by the older population, and was attributed to the provision of social protection. A decline of suicide inequalities can accompany a decline in suicide mortality, when the provision of social protection favored the less educated.

Some Notes on the Gini Index and New Inequality Measures: The nth Gini Index

A new family of inequality indices based on the deviation between the expected maximum and the expected minimum of random samples, called the nth Gini index is presented. These indices generalize the Gini index. At the same time, this family of indices and the S-Gini index are generalized by proposing the uv-Gini index, which turns out to be a convex combination of the S-Gini index and the Lorenz family of inequality measures. This family of Gini indices provides a methodology for achieving perfect equality in a given distribution of incomes. This is achieved through a series of successive and equal increases in the incomes of each individual.