There has been increasing evidence to support the argument that differences in health and opportunities for good health are strongly determined by inequities in social and structural factors in society. The aim of this course is to introduce you to major concepts and evidence of practice necessary to understand and reduce or prevent health inequalities in western industrialised countries. Specific topics explored include the patterns of health inequalities and inequities in populations, political and structural determinants of inequities, and actions to reduce or eliminate health inequities presented through case studies of effective interventions.