Is There a Place for Geography in the Analysis of Health Inequality?

This paper considers how ideas and evidence concerning geographical health variation are used in discourses relating to health inequalities. We consider the different concepts of space and place which are employed in these debates. Much of the discussion in the literature focuses on the relative importance of compositional and contextual effects in determining health variation between different geographical areas. We discuss some of the theory which might illuminate the possible impact of place on health inequalities. In the light of this theoretical debate, and focusing mainly on research from Britain, we review the empirical evidence concerning place as a contributor to health inequalities. It is concluded that while individual characteristics are very important for the health inequalities which are observed between people, their geographical setting also has some significance. This has implications for policies aiming to reduce health inequalities.