Purpose/SignificanceThe analysis reviews the literature on the relationship between income distribution and residents' health in China, and explores the reasons of the inconsistency between previous research findings, so as to provide references for improving the quality of research in this field.

Method/ProcessBased on 46 empirical results in 30 main existing empirical literature, this article uses Meta regression analysis method to analyze how different study characteristics such as data type, sample characteristics, index selection, theoretical framework, estimation method, control variables, study area and time span affect empirical results of the relation of income inequality and health.

Results/ConclusionThe results show that the empirical results of the income inequality in China are influenced by many studies characteristics. Especially the "significant negative impact" empirical results are significant influenced by "sample size, rural area, theoretical framework, estimation method, region, time span". Therefore, the relevant policy makers need not only more evidence to support the conclusions, but also consideration of local conditions.