How do income differences directly affect living conditions for lower-wage workers compared to higher-wage workers?

Lower-wage workers may be geographically confined to areas with poorer air or water quality and might delay necessary medical treatment

Differences in earnings directly translate into tangible disparities in the ability to secure healthier living environments and access timely healthcare. Workers earning higher salaries typically possess the financial capacity to afford better housing situated away from industrial pollution sources, and they can readily access necessary preventative healthcare without experiencing financial strain. Conversely, workers in lower-income brackets often lack this choice, potentially being restricted to neighborhoods burdened by environmental hazards like substandard air or water quality. Furthermore, financial insecurity commonly forces lower-income individuals to postpone seeking medical attention until a health condition escalates to a critical state, significantly and negatively impacting their potential life expectancy.