The Review follows the publication of the global Commission on Social Determinants of Health, also chaired by Sir Michael Marmot and published by the WHO. The CSDH advocated that national governments develop and implement strategies and policies suited to their particular national context aimed at improving health equity. The English review is a response to that recommendation and to the government's commitment to reducing health inequalities in England.

The aim of the Review is to propose an evidence based strategy for reducing health inequalities from 2010. The strategy will include policies and interventions that address the social determinants of health inequalities.

The Review has four tasks:

(i) identify, for the health inequalities challenge facing England, the evidence most relevant to underpinning future policy and action

(ii) show how this evidence could be translated into practice

(iii) advise on possible objectives and measures, building on the experience of the current PSA target on infant mortality and life expectancy

(iv) publish a report of the review's work that will contribute to the development of a post-2010 health inequalities strategy

It is anticipated that the Review will also have relevance for other countries developing strategies aimed at tackling health inequalities, following the recommendations of the CSDH.

You can find further details in the documents section.