The United Kingdom is using its term as president of the European Union to urge the region to focus on reducing the difference in the health of rich and poor people.

“Almost all important health problems, and major causes of premature death across Europe such as heart disease and cancer, are more common among people with lower levels of education and income,” said the UK secretary of state for health, Patricia Hewitt, who hosted an EU summit in London this week called “Tackling health inequalities—governing for health” (BMJ2005;331: 855, Oct 15).

“Narrowing this health gap, and making good …