ABSTRACT
This chapter examines evidence concerning the ways that good health' experienced by individuals relates to the social and material context of their geographic living environment, with a focus on health in rural areas of England. It presents the literature on the associations between material and social conditions, rurality of places and experiences of good health and wellbeing. The chapter explores how place relates to wellbeing in England, with a focus on urban-rural and intra-rural disparities in indicators of good health. It discusses the overall health advantage of rural areas masks more local inequalities in health. The chapter suggests that life stage and length of residence in rural areas seem to relate to the health outcomes studied here in ways that suggest a strong case for a lifecourse' approach to the study of wellbeing as a potentially fruitful way forward in future research on wellbeing.
