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World Suffering Expands as Gaps in Care Widen

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Human Suffering and Quality of Life

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Well-Being and Quality of Life Research ((BRIEFSWELLBEING))

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Abstract

Alternative approaches to the alleviation of suffering depend upon the type of suffering, but all types need to be addressed at both the individual and institutional levels. Adequate relief of social suffering however, depends largely on institutional solutions. The various dimensions of quality of suffering relief are listed and discussed. Data comparing inter-nations and inter-states are presented to show the misalignment between suffering and available care resources to potentially relieve those who suffer. Charts reveal that the countries high on suffering tend to be low on caring or charitable capacity, and vice versa. Suffering cannot be relieved without redistribution of care resources and without those with higher incomes contributing to charitable relief projects at least as much proportionately as those with lower incomes. Global inequality is a major cause of social suffering and widens gaps in care. Inequality in income-based residential segregation needs to be tackled as well. Despite some progress in reduction of suffering, global inequality has been growing steadily for at least two centuries. Major progress in reducing suffering depends upon making headway in turning around the recent alarming spike of global and national inequality.

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  1. University of Minnesota, Wayzata, MN, USA

    Ronald E. Anderson

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Anderson, R.E. (2014). World Suffering Expands as Gaps in Care Widen. In: Human Suffering and Quality of Life. SpringerBriefs in Well-Being and Quality of Life Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7669-2_5

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