ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the nature, causes and impact of inequalities and to assess measures to promote equality. The health inequality debate revolves around contrasting positions. The 'conservative' view, which sees health as the responsibility of the individual and illness as a problem that can be solved without changing the class structure. The health of the poor can be improved by persuading them to copy the lifestyle of the healthier middle classes. Women make greater use of health services than men for a number of reasons. Maternity and gynaecological services are used exclusively by women and their longer life expectancy also contributes to the disproportionate use of services. Health care providers had to be formally trained in scientific skills and, since men dominated education, they were able to exclude women and outrun them in career advancement. The health care role was lost to women but it was redefined in the context of a male-dominated medical profession.
