ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the subject of inequality, and linked with that, social class. It explores the underlying debates about equality and inequality, focuses on socio-economic disadvantage, and illustrates them with a discussion of health inequalities. The chapter shows a detailed picture of health inequalities and the links with social class, highlights the impact of low income, poor housing, working conditions and education. When the Labour party returned to power in 1997 it prioritised the issue, and commissioned an independent review of health inequalities. It stressed the importance of tackling health inequalities both upstream' and downstream' that is, to address the structural and social determinants, such as poverty, employment and education, but also to address individual behaviour, such as smoking. The Labour government then commissioned an independent review to advise on further strategies for tackling health inequalities, chaired by Sir Michael Marmot.
