| Sumario: | Social class differences in health have been found in all societies that have looked for them. In spite of an apparently stable historical pattern of upper social classes living longer and faring better than lower ones, there is a certain amount of variation in the size, trends and nature, even the direction of such differences, indicating that they might be modified by policy and social change. Social class differences in health, as well as other health inequalities, have in fact become a part of the political agenda. But policymaking in this area is weak and unconvincing in most countries. There is little consensus as to why policies to reduce health inequalities are important. Should they be pursued for the reason that health is a 'right', as suggested by some writers, and often in the political rhetoric? Or because they are important for a country's level of health in general? The purpose of this article is firstly, to examine some of the moral justifications for the reduction of health inequalities and, secondly, to suggest that the public health policy agenda can be improved by focusing on the public health significance of health inequalities. It is argued that the reduction of health inequalities may represent a great potential for improving the health of the population, but there is a moral justification for equal distribution of health risks and health resources even if this did not contribute greatly to improved general health.
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