Brian:

The references for the UK/Sweden data are found in Wilkinson's Unhealthy
societies: the afflictions of inequality (Routledge, 1996).

Infant mortality: Leon, D.A et al;., British Medical Journal, 305, 687-691,
1992 [Social class differences in infant mortality in Sweden: a comparison
with England and Wales.]

Adult mortality prior to 64 years: Vagero, D. et al., Lancet, 11, 35-36, 1989
[Health inequalities in Britain and Sweden]


Dennis,

Congratulations on the acceptance of your timely and
provocative letter. Having tried, and apparently failed, to
interest the Toronto Star in publishing an
OPHA-commissioned piece on the public health impacts of
homelessness, I would be interested in any media advocacy
pointers you have to share. I'm also very interested in
obtaining a copy of the reference noting the deterioration in
the health status of all socio-economic classes in the U.K.
after twenty years of increasing inequities in income
distribution.

Speaking of the U.K., it's discouraging that Tony Blair's plan
to "reform" welfare in that country consists primarily of
massive cuts in social assistance payments to single mothers
and people with disabilities. The enactment of this policy
will only serve to exacerbate the dismal situation you note in
your letter.

Concerned health promoters need to focus on what can be done
to counter global trends towards increasing income
inequalities. I am happy that some recent initiatives (e.g.,
CPHA's response to the MAI) recognize the fact that the
realization of social justice within a given set of borders
(be it Ontario, the United Kingdom or anywhere) ultimiately
depends on a global commitment to policies that ensure access
to the basic prerequisites of health.

Cheers,

Brian Hyndman

  ***************************************************
  From new transmitters came the old stupidities.
  Wisdom was passed on from mouth to mouth.
            -Bertolt Brecht
  ***************************************************

Dennis Raphael, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Acting Director,
Masters of Health Science Program in Health Promotion
Department of Public Health Sciences
Graduate Department of Community Health
University of Toronto
McMurrich Building, Room 101
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA M5S 1A8