Depression Clinic

How we could be a happier nation

Everyone on the island of Ireland could lead happier, healthier lives if measures were put in place to achieve greater income equality, according to the authors of a new report.

Population health experts Prof Richard Wilkinson and Dr Kate Pickett say that greater income equality in richer countries is the key to reducing social problems and improving health.

Their report highlights how unequal societies are bad for almost everyone, rich as well as poor.

It says nearly every modern social and health problem such as obesity, lack of community life, violence, drug abuse and mental illness are more likely to occur in a less equal society.

The two experts are speaking this week at a seminar in Dublin organised by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH).

Dr Jane Wilde, Chief Executive of the IPH said there is a need to change from the pursuit of greater wealth to how existing wealth can be more evenly distributed.

"The current economic climate presents real opportunity to reflect on what we value in society, to learn from mistakes and make plans to move towards communities that are better for everyone," she said.

Drs Wilkinson's and Pickett's report says that after a point, additional income buys less and less additional health, happiness and well-being.

"The rich developed societies have reached a turning point in human history. Politics should to be about the quality of social relationships and how we can develop harmonious and sustainable societies," the authors state.

The report outlines how there is a smaller level of health and social problems in the four most equal of the rich countries in the world - Japan, Norway, Sweden and Finland.

The authors say the evidence clearly shows that greater equality would result in better outcomes across all major health and social indicators.