A person's health is strongly influenced by that person's wealth. In days past, we thought this was because higher incomes meant better access to health care. We thought this was why the rich lived longer. Today we know more.
A long succession of research indicates a person's health is first influenced by their time in the womb. We know the early years of childhood define a lifetime's health expectations. We know educational attainment, participation in the workforce, and income levels all influence people's health outcomes. Yet in Australia when we talk about health we immediately think of nurses, doctors, and hospitals. We don't immediately think of vibrant childhoods, good schooling, satisfying work lives and fairness in income. Our thinking needs to change.