Living Unequal, Living Unhealthy: The Adverse Impact of Subjective Economic Inequality on Health-Promoting Behaviors

Health-promoting behaviors, such as regular physical activity and healthy eating, are crucial for physical and mental health. The current research investigates whether subjective economic inequality undermines individuals’ engagement in health-promoting behaviors and examines the mediating role of future orientation. Across five studies using archival data, longitudinal surveys, and fully-controlled experiments, we find consistent evidence for these hypotheses. Study 1 ( N = 14,101), based on nationally representative data, shows a negative association between perceived inequality and physical exercise. Studies 2 ( N = 257) and 3 ( N = 361), using multiwave surveys, demonstrated that perceived inequality negatively predicted various health-promoting behaviors over time. Studies 4 ( N = 196) and 5 ( N = 391) experimentally manipulate perceived inequality and found its causal effect on reducing individuals’ willingness to engage in health-promoting behaviors and the mediating role of future orientation. Study 5 further reveals that enhancing future orientation can mitigate this negative effect. These findings highlight the importance of the perception of the macro environment for healthy lifestyles.