Can an entire month’s salary buy enough nutritious food to feed a family for a month?For many Nigerians today, the answer is no.That single reality tells us more about the nation’s health than many hospital statistics ever could. When people cannot afford nutritious food, delay seeking medical care because of cost, or live with the daily stress of wondering how to make ends meet, wellness becomes about far more than eating right or exercising regularly. It becomes a reflection of the economic conditions in which people live.
This brings us to an important but often overlooked concept: shared prosperity.The World Bank defines shared prosperity as improving the incomes and wellbeing of the bottom 40 per cent of a country’s population. Simply put, it is the idea that economic growth should improve the lives of ordinary people—not just a privileged few. Why should this matter to those of us concerned about health?
Because wellness does not exist in a vacuum.Our physical health, mental wellbeing, emotional resilience and quality of life are profoundly influenced by the opportunities available within our communities. In many respects, the healthiest societies are not simply the wealthiest—they are those where prosperity is more broadly shared. The World Health Organization has long recognised that health is shaped by much more than hospitals and medicines.
Income, education, employment, housing, transportation, food security and safe neighbourhoods—collectively known as the social determinants of health—often have as much influence on our wellbeing as medical care itself. One family thrives on secure employment and a steady income, living in a neighborhood where good schools, quality healthcare, and safe parks are just around the corner. The other struggles month after month, stretching every naira to cover rent, put nutritious meals on the table, and keep the lights on.
The difference between these households extends far beyond their bank accounts. It influences the quality of food on the table, the ability to seek medical care early, opportunities for physical activity, stress levels, sleep quality, and, ultimately, life expectancy. Financial insecurity places the body under constant stress.
While our stress response was designed to protect us from short-term danger, chronic financial pressure keeps stress hormones elevated for prolonged …
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