Sir, - Concern about our increasingly unequal society continues to grow (Rich and Poor, April 28th). Many commentators refer to the impact this has on access to health services and this is reflected in increasing levels of disquiet and debate.
But one point is often overlooked: the connection between economic inequality and public health. Our health depends not only on health services but on a wider social, environmental and economic policy.
Research is now showing that income inequality in a country is a critical determinant of a country's health status. Wide inequality leads to poor health, conversely those countries with less inequality are more healthy.
As Ireland, and Northern Ireland, linger at the bottom of the European league for public health, it is in all our interests to narrow the gap. - Yours, etc.,
Dr Jane Wilde, Director, Institute of Public Health in Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.