2007/09/14 by Fernando G. De Maio · 3 citations
Social Sciences · Health Professions · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · #Health disparities and outcomes #Global Health Care Issues #Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life
paper · pdf · doi:10.1136/jech.2006.052969
openalex publication_date 2007/09/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
The Gini coefficient has been the most popular method for operationalising income inequality in the public health literature. However, a number of alternative methods exist, and they offer researchers the means to develop a more nuanced understanding of the distribution of income. Income inequality measures such as the generalised entropy index and the Atkinson index offer the ability to examine the effects of inequalities in different areas of the income spectrum, enabling more meaningful quantitative assessments of qualitatively different inequalities. This glossary provides a conceptual introduction to these and other income inequality measures.