> "income inequality has been linked to an array of harmful outcomes, including higher rates of debt, crime, mental illness, and even mortality."

The author seems to confuse income inequality with being poor. Income inequality is relative, while poor is objective.
Income inequality exists between an individual making
$1,000,0000 a year and an individual making $200,000 a
year. The individual making $200,000 is certainly not poor, but there is income inequality when compared to the
millionaire.