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The huge growth in income inequality in Britain during the 1980s has highlighted the need for radical policies to reduce premature death and avoidable illness in the face of indisputable evidence of a link between social and economic circumstances and standards of health. Policies to reduce avoidable deaths and illness among disadvantaged groups should focus on such areas as housing and income maintenance since shelter, food and warmth are prerequisites for health. Efforts should also be made to discourage smoking, which is particularly predominant among the poor and is a major cause of premature death.