Bedtime reading: Tackling health inequalities: 10 years on

This is a lengthy report but one that is filled with lots of information about indicators and trends relevant to the social determinance of health. Between 1995-1997 and 2005-2007 average life expectancy for all groups in England has increased significantly - for males by an extra 3.1 years and for females by an extra 2.1 years. The report highlights some developments that have worked well but also the challenges that need to be addressed to get further improvements in the health of disadvantages groups and areas, and a long term narrowing of the gap. This will be particularly important in the wake of the more difficult economic conditions, especially through its impact on unemployment, together with environmental challenges like climate change.