Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between the state resource redistribution and the change in health inequality in post-earthquake Wenchuan. Three Wenchuan disaster recovery surveys from 2008 to 2011 constitute the base of this study. The government resource distribution is examined in sequent phases of emergency relief,recovery,and post-recovery against its possible effect on the health of different occupational and educational groups during the period. The data analysis shows a significant gradient in 2011 on self-rated health among different educational groups,a phenomenon nonexistent in 2008 and 2009. Similarly,on mental health,the year of 2011 also shows the most noticeable degree of gradient. However,no systematic occupational gradients present in all three years on either self-rated health or mental health. In addition,a comparative analysis between disaster areas and surrounding areas and between pre-disaster and post-disaster period indicates a unique pattern of health inequality in disaster areas:a decline of inequality during the emergency relief period and a climb back in the post-recovery period. It is argued that the decline is due to the fact that at the initial stage of the concerted relief effort,the disadvantaged groups have direct access to the medical and health resources distributed by the state. However,the gain is only temporary. With the dramatic reduction of aids in the post-recovery period and the lack of a good redistribution mechanism,health inequality quickly bounces back to the "normal" level.

Key words: health inequality, disaster recovery, redistribution, self-rated health, mental health