Kawachi I, Kennedy BP, Lochner K, Prothrow-Stith D. Social capital, income inequality and mortality. American Journal of Public Health 1997; 87: 1491-8

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The social mechanism through which income inequality may work is by reducing social capital in a society. This study showed an association between income inequality and group membership and lack of social trust, with states of the US having greater inequality having less group membership and less trust. They conclude that "These data support the notion that income inequality leads to increased mortality via disinvestment in social capital."