How does relative deprivation affect health?

Citation

MacLeod M, Graham E, Johnston M, Dibben C & Morgan I (1999) How does relative deprivation affect health?. ESRC Health Variations Programme Newsletter, (3), pp. 12-13. http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/fass/projects/hvp/newsletters/macleod3.htm

Abstract
First paragraph: There is now compelling evidence that poor health is not simply the outcome of poverty and absolute deprivation. If it were, then those in the poorest circumstances would have the poorest health, while everyone above the poverty line would enjoy the same level of good health. Instead there is a graded relationship between income or socio-economic status and health, with relative improvements in income and living standards associated with relative improvements in levels of health. Further, societies in which there are wide inequalities in income and living standards have lower life expectancies than societies in which income differences are smaller.

Journal
ESRC Health Variations Programme Newsletter, Issue 3