This publication arose from a King's Fund response to Sir Donald Acheson's suggestion that the time was right to consider practical policy options for tackling inequalities in health. A seminar was held at Ditchley Park in September 1993 which brought together a wide range of people, from central and local government, health authorities and voluntary organisations, to universities and research institutes, professional associations and the media, to examine the policy options and to identify priorities for action in tackling inequalities in health. The work recorded in this publication was completed during 1993 to 1995. It encompasses and builds upon the presentations and discussions at the seminar which focussed particularly on the effects of health of poor housing, family poverty, smoking and lack of access to health services. This has been supplemented at the request of the participants by additional material including brief reviews of the effects of health of employment, poor education and lack of facilities for childcare.