ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses the knowledge and skills required to provide quality care in a safe and sustainable manner in the highly challenging environment of deprivation. Some of these skills will be specific to certain situations or populations but many are the generic skills applicable by General Practitioners working alongside patients to provide personalised, continuous care for all their patients. The book looks at populations and groups affected by health inequalities. Traditionally there has been a perception that health inequalities relate to marginalised and excluded groups within society and, indeed, excessive disease burdens are very much manifest in these populations. The expanding literature and research into health inequalities has so far identified interventions which can be effective at the policy level, but there remains a dearth of evidence as to what works in terms of interventions at the practice level.
