Health Inequalities: a Challenge for Europe

Abstract

Health inequalities are increasingly recognised as an important public-health issue throughout Europe. As a result of the growing recognition of the problem, many countries are responding by developing public policies in a wide variety of ways.  The primary aim of this independent report, which was commissioned by the UK Presidency of the EU, is to review national-level policies and strategies – that either have been or are in the process of being developed to tackle health inequalities – and to reflect on the challenges that lie ahead. In doing so, it primarily focuses on socio-economic inequalities in health.