A nation of inequality: The effects of inequality on health, crime and economic achievement

Income inequality is on the rise, growing rapidly since the mid 1970's in the United States of America (Weeks 2007). This study will investigate the effects an increasing gap between the affluent and impoverished has on critical factors of social welfare. A meta-assessment will be performed combining the literature that has explored the relationship of income inequality to: health, crime and economic achievement. The results will provide an overview of the data, focusing on whether they support a correlation between income inequality and any change in these outcomes. Underlying validity of each argument will also be examined. The study will focus on the literature concerning the United States of America, as well as relevant pieces on other developed countries. The conclusions will hopefully provide awareness to the social implications of inequality and point to directions for recommended policy procedures. It will also include a brief cautionary note on the alternatives.