By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    improving patient experience
    6 Ways to Improve Patient Satisfaction Within Hospitals
    December 1, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    What Are The Health Benefits Of Having A Degree?
    March 9, 2022
    custom software development is changing healthcare
    Digital Customer Journey Mapping and its Importance for Healthcare
    July 21, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Can Thinking Younger Make You Live Longer?
    April 20, 2011
    Image
    Obesity’s Outlook Unchanged
    June 13, 2011
    When It’s An Emergency Elderly Not Treated As Well in Hospitals
    July 16, 2011
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: What Kind of Inequality Matters to You?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Medical Ethics > What Kind of Inequality Matters to You?
Medical Ethics

What Kind of Inequality Matters to You?

JohnCGoodman
Last updated: October 19, 2011 5:30 pm
JohnCGoodman
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

Science and Other News: What Kind of Inequality Matters to You?

Here are 19 kinds of inequality, courtesy of Scott Sumner:

Science and Other News: What Kind of Inequality Matters to You?

Here are 19 kinds of inequality, courtesy of Scott Sumner:

More Read

A High Price for Rare Cancer Drugs
BioPharma Beat: No, the Facts Don’t Always Speak for Themselves
Population Health – The Work Has Just Begun
Colt McCoy’s Concussion Fumbled by Team Physicians
Drug Company to Congress: The ‘Dog Ate My Homework’
    1. Inequality of disability. Some people are blind, paralyzed, etc.
    2. Inequality of talent. Some people are blessed with the ability of a Michael Jordon, or a Brad Pitt.
    3. Inequality if liberty. I know one Chinese person who used to listen to Russian classical music very quietly, least the neighbors overheard. It was viewed as counter-revolutionary, and she could have gotten in a lot of trouble. Least we think America doesn’t have these problems, think of the many 100,000s of people in prison for using drugs.
    4. Inequality of money (i.e. income/wealth/consumption.)
    5. Inequality of personality. I know one part time instructor who always looks happy. He always whistles while he walks, and greets people with enthusiasm. He’s about 85. And I know lots of grouchy professors making 5 times more money.
    6. Inequality of mental health–actually just a more extreme version of point 5–but a big driver of utility.
    7. Inequality of access to health care. Often assumed to overlap with money inequality, but the Medicaid program suggests it’s more complex.
    8. Inequality of power. My Marxist friends would say I have a blind spot for this one. I think I do.
    9. Inequality of location. Were you born in sad Moldova, or happy Denmark?
    10. Inequality of luck. Of course if there’s no free will, then it’s all luck.
    11. Inequality of family situation. Are you living with an extremely difficult family member (an abusive spouse, an elderly person with Alzheimer’s, or a troubled teen.) This has a big effect on utility.
    12. Inequality of disease. Do you have AIDS, or cancer?
    13. Inequality of preferences. I am cursed with expensive taste. If I walk into a rug store, my eyes are immediately attracted to the most expensive oriental carpet. My daughter just bought a teal shag carpet from Target that she likes. Lucky her.
    14. Inequality of pain. A hugely underrated factor in utility. And let’s not forget the poor hypochondriacs. There is no statement more stupid in the entire English language than “it’s all in your head.” Everything is all in your head, including pain. See the studies of phantom limbs. Pain is pain.
    15. Inequality in social setting. Do you live in a neighborhood terrorized by crime. Again, only partially correlated with income.
    16. Racial/ethnic/gender/sexual preference inequality
    17. Inequality of nerdiness/awkwardness. A huge driver of utility for teenagers. (Would a poor but “cool” and popular teen trade places with a middle class nerdy teen?)
    18. Inequality of job desirability
    19. Inequality of appearance (beauty, obesity, etc.) Michel Houellebecq says this is the greatest source of inequality in rich countries

    Of these 19, how many do you think economists ever talk about? How about health policy wonks? Is that because economists and health policy wonks are incredibly narrow? Full Scott Sumner piece is worth reading every word.

     

     

     

       

    TAGGED:inequality
    Share This Article
    Facebook Copy Link Print
    Share

    Stay Connected

    1.5kFollowersLike
    4.5kFollowersFollow
    2.8kFollowersPin
    136kSubscribersSubscribe

    Latest News

    Clinical Expertise
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    Health care
    May 18, 2025
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    Health
    May 15, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    Health
    May 15, 2025
    Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction heart treatment
    Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction
    Cardiology
    May 13, 2025

    You Might also Like

    HIPAA Basics For Licensed Health Care Professionals: Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules

    November 16, 2015
    Image
    Medical EthicsPolicy & Law

    9 Common Medical Mistakes To Be Aware Of

    October 2, 2019

    How to Keep Your Medical Staff Focused During Work

    March 18, 2016
    biopharma beat
    BusinessFinanceHealth ReformMedical EthicsMedical InnovationsPublic Health

    BioPharma Beat: We Want Healthcare at Any Price – Until We Have It

    May 7, 2014
    Subscribe
    Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
    Follow US
    © 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    Welcome Back!

    Sign in to your account

    Username or Email Address
    Password

    Lost your password?