Income gap can sicken rich and poor

Income disparities may lead to poor health and death not only among the poor but also wealthier people due to increased stress, according to research released Wednesday in the British Medical Journal.

The disparities could result in 1.54 million extra deaths in 15 countries, including 23,000 extra deaths in Japan, according to the research estimates presented by the group, including Naoki Kondo, assistant professor at Yamanashi University's medical school.

"It's time to consider the disparity issue from the point of health, too," Kondo said.

Yamanashi University professor Zentaro Yamagata, also among the research group, said disparities in society are considered to negatively impact the health of all people as increased stress raises the risk of lifestyle-related diseases and depression.