Socioeconomic Disparities In Health: Pathways And Policies Inequality in education, income, and occupation exacerbates the gaps between the health “haves” and “have-nots.”

Socioeconomic status (SES) underlies three major determinants of health: health care, environmental exposure, and health behavior. In addition, chronic stress associated with lower SES may also increase morbidity and mortality. ReducingSES disparities in health will require policy initiatives addressingthe components of socioeconomic status (income, education, and occupation) as well as the pathways by which these affect health. Lessons for U.S. policy approaches are taken from the Acheson Commission in England, which was charged with reducing health disparities in that country.