Lancet Supports WHO Report on Health Inequality

Journal applauds report's call to action, will participate in conference and publish theme issue

FRIDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- The final report by the World Health Organization's Commission on Social Determinants of Health contains a strong mandate for reducing global inequalities in health care, according to an editorial published in the Aug. 30 issue of The Lancet.

The editorial's authors applaud the report's call for a new global agenda for health improvement and health equity, and its three principles for action: improving the conditions of daily life for women and men of all ages in rural and urban settings; addressing the inequitable distribution of power and money that affects the conditions; and forging alliances between health care professionals and civil society.

The Lancet will participate in a conference on the Commission's work scheduled for Nov. 6-7 in the United Kingdom and will publish a theme issue devoted to action-oriented research and health policy in social determinants on Nov. 8.

"After three years of gathering evidence, the Commission on Social Determinants of Health has performed an invaluable service in making the health case for a fairer society," the authors conclude. "It is a case that deserves the full support of health professionals and policymakers in all countries. At last equity is taking its rightful place at the center of public debate about health."

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