Knowing the goal: an inclusive economy that can address the public health challenges of our time

Abstract

ObjectiveInequality is deeply embedded in our economic structures—it is necessary to address these economic inequalities if we are to reduce health inequalities. An inclusive economic approach was conceptualised as a way to reduce these economic inequalities, although the attributes of this approach are unclear. Public health practitioners are increasingly asked to provide a health perspective on the economic recovery plans in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper aims to identify the attributes of an inclusive economy to enable the public health profession to influence an inclusive economic recovery.ApproachWe conducted a rapid review of grey and peer-reviewed literature to identify the attributes of an inclusive economy as currently defined in the literature.Attributes of an inclusive economyTwenty-two concepts were identified from 56 reports and articles. These were collapsed into four distinct attributes of an inclusive economy: (1) an economy that is designed to deliver inclusion and equity, (2) equitable distribution of the benefits from the economy (eg, assets, power, value), (3) equitable access to the resources needed to participate in the economy (eg, health, education), and (4) the economy operates within planetary boundaries.ConclusionAs economies are (re)built following the COVID-19 pandemic, these attributes of an inclusive economy—based on the current literature—can be used to develop, and then monitor progress of, economic policy that will reduce health inequalities, improve health and mitigate against climate change.

Measuring, Modeling, and Forecasting the Mental Wealth of Nations

“…Efforts are being made to address imbalances which have emerged from the 30-year experiment with small government and increased marketization. Some of these efforts primarily retain the existing economic frame (production boundary) (29,30), while others seek to broaden notions of "the economy" and what constitutes a prosperous society (26,(31)(32)(33)(34) (Box 1). Consistent across them is recognition that a fundamental shift in our societal trajectory is essential to achieving healthier individuals, functional families, more cohesive, resilient communities and societies, and economies more capable of meeting new national and global challenges.…”

“…The concept of Mental Wealth and its drivers builds on decades of research into the social determinants of mental health (90), on how to measure and build mental and social capital (63,(91)(92)(93)(94), and on progressive economic theory (29,31,33,46,55,(95)(96)(97)(98). Beyond this, the Mental Wealth Initiative (MWI) has been grappling with how to connect these literatures, how to quantify and better understand the dynamics that drive Mental Wealth and its contribution to a thriving society, and how to forecast the likely trajectory of a nation's Mental Wealth.…”

“…□ The Inclusive economy ( 29 , 30 , 35 )—working to address income inequality, uneven distribution of the tax burden between capital and labor, and financial mechanisms (such as tax havens) that contribute to inequality. It seeks to deliver on equity and inclusion in an economy's design; in the access of resources that enable participation in the economy (including health and education), and in distribution of the benefits generated in the economy (including income, assets, and goods and services).…”

Glossary: economics and health

“…These have four distinct attributes: an economy that is designed to deliver inclusion and equity; equitable distribution of the benefits from the economy (eg, goods, services, power, value); equitable access to the resources needed to participate in the economy (eg, health and education) and operates within planetary boundaries. 59 They are distinct from ‘inclusive (economic) growth’ as a concept because inclusive economies are neutral in relation to whether the size of the economy changes over time. In contrast, inclusive growth focuses on a form of economic growth which leads to a more equal distribution of economic benefits across societies.…”

Research Progress and Knowledge Structure of Inclusive Growth: A Bibliometric Analysis

“…A critical review of the theoretical foundations underlying growth, development and prospects of the state's welfare concerning inclusive growth and socio-economic development was provided by Hasmath (2015), Dalevska et al (2019), Kharazishvili et al (2020), and Kwilinski et al (2020). Nicky & Pouw (2016), Heshmati et al (2019), Shipton et al (2021) studied the literature on the essence and attributes of inclusive development, as well as areas of its analysis. Boarini R., Causa O., Fleurbaey M., Grimalda G., & Woolard I. describe specific policy actions that include education, labour, fiscal instruments, public and private governance to achieve more inclusive growth in G20 countries.…”