In this chapter the authors describe the rationale of a new health strategy for the promotion, and protection of population health and for the reduction of health inequities. At the time of writing, this strategy - known as Health 2020 - is being developed by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe in collaboration with its 53 member states. A dramatic reduction of health inequities is one of its central objectives. The authors describe the reasons that brought about the development of a new health strategy, and summarize the various patterns of health inequities in Europe. Policy approaches are revisited in search of credible interventions for tackling health inequities in the WHO European Region.
Keywords: Health inequities, social determinants, health in all policies.