What happened
A new study of Danish retirees finds that health inequalities are changing in different ways. Lower-income retirees are getting physically healthier, but the gap in mental health between rich and poor retirees is not shrinking.
Why it matters
Governments and health systems often assume that general improvements in welfare will lift all boats, including mental health. This paper shows that for Danish retirees, that is not happening; mental health disparities are stubbornly persistent. It means that specific, targeted interventions for mental health among lower-income older adults are likely needed, rather than relying on broader social programs.