Editorials Elucidating the Relationships between Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Health

The public health field is committed to decreasing social disparities in health.1 Growing differences in death rates among racial and socioeconomic groups have heightened our concern about the disadvantages that have consequences for the public's health.2-4 In this issue of the journal, the articles on social disadvantage in health contribute to our knowledge of health disparities and give direction to programs that may help close the gaps.