Wealth, debt, and health inequalties

Research Problem and Specific Questions:Sweden has experienced an accelerating increase in economic inequalities, attributed in part to the financialization of the economy.

This process, marked by capital returns outpacing growth rates and a doubling of household debt-to-income ratios, underscores the increasing significance of wealth and debt in households´ economic situation These factors emerge as critical dimensions in the socioeconomic determinants of health.

This project aims to understand the relationships between the political economic framework, the financial sector, household net worth, and individual health.

These relationships are mediated by actors within each level such as the central bank, mortgage lenders, and the households which take on mortgage debt for housing needs or have investments in the financial markets.

We seek to analyze these connections and their implications for health and public health inequalities.Data and Method:Utilizing existing administrative data, we will estimate the debt and net wealth of Swedish households and its effect on household members health.

Epidemiological methods will be employed to explore the association between wealth and health inequalities, discern the causal effects of debt on health, and understand the role of risk-taking and housing needs within the existing political economic framework.Societal Relevance and Utilization:Investigating how structural changes, such as the deregulation of credit markets, contribute to economic inequalities through wealth accumulation can inform the development of a political economic framework aimed at addressing these increasing disparities.

In an era of higher interest rates,  difficulties in debt repayment are associated with stress related problems and mental health outcomes such as suicidal ideation, anxiety, and depression.

Elucidating the mechanism that causes these problems can aid in designing safeguards and interventions that can alleviate these health problems.Plan for Project Realization:The project spans three years, with the initial year dedicated to ethical approval, data management plans,  data acquisition and variable construction.

The subsequent two years will focus on addressing research questions, with data analysis plans,  writing and publishing peer-reviewed scientific articles, and active participation in conferences.

Additionally, findings will be communicated to the public and other relevant stakeholders via targeted outreach initiatives.