Citation

Sreenivasan G. Public Health Ethics 2009; 2(1): 45-52.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/phe/php004

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper reviews the epidemiological debate between the relative income hypothesis and the absolute income hypothesis. The dispute between these rival hypotheses has to do with whether an adequate account of the relationship between income and life expectancy requires the definition of ‘income’ to include any comparative element. I discuss the evidence offered for the relative hypothesis (which answers, ‘yes’), as well as two important criticisms that have been levelled against this evidence. I also offer some critical reflections on the debate from a philosophical standpoint concerned with the ethics of population health. Both hypotheses agree that a redistribution of income towards the worst off will improve their life expectancy.