Economic inequality, intergenerational mobility, and life expectancy.

ABSTRACT: This study explores the mediating role of intergenerational mobility (IM) in the relationship between economic inequality and population health in the United States, focusing on life expectancy. Using multilevel structural equation modeling across state and commuting zone (CZ) levels for both genders, we find that economic inequality indices, except for the top 1 percent's income share, adversely affect life expectancy through absolute and relative mobility. Specifically, economic inequality reduces life expectancy more significantly through absolute mobility, especially among males and lower-income groups, with nuanced impacts observed across different geographic levels. Relative mobility also plays a role, primarily affecting males in lower-income groups at the CZ level, showing disparit

SUBMITTER: Xiong N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11821436 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature