Do people die from income inequality of a decade ago?

► This study investigates the long-term impact of national-level income inequality on individual mortality risk in the U.S. ► Income inequality did not have an instantaneous detrimental effect on individual mortality risk, but began exerting its influence 5 years later. ► This effect peaked at 7 years, and then diminished after 12 years. ► These findings hold for 3 measures of income inequality and 3 different model specifications.