Setting up a commission by itself is not going to reduce global health inequities, but putting health equity and the social determinants of health more squarely on people’s agenda is a necessary first step. Perhaps I am suffering from self-delusion, or move in too-restricted circles, but I perceive a real surge of interest in the area. I am not so deluded, though, as to think (we don’t) have miles to go before we sleep. And to continue the Robert Frost allusion “promises to keep links of london sweetie bracelet.”
How important is life expectancy in measuring health inequities between different populations?
Do not underestimate how powerful and radical information is links of london. Documenting inequities in health between countries and within countries, and the unfair distribution of the social determinants of health requires high quality information systems. These are woefully lacking in most countries.
Life expectancy is a crude measure and in lowincome countries is often based on inadequate data registration systems, but is at least a guide links of london charms. Within high-income countries and increasingly in other countries, it is now possible to measure the distribution of life expectancy so that we can document withincountry health inequities. For these within-country inequities, the demographic and health surveys – while not yielding life expectancy estimates – have proved very important.
What does the commission recommend in terms of rallying long-term political support for ending health inequities, especially as many of the people suffering from such inequities often have the least political influence links of london necklaces?
Empowerment of people, communities and, indeed, of whole countries is central to the commission’s thinking. We see empowerment as material, psychosocial and political. Empowerment and human freedoms require action globally, nationally, locally and within households.