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Objective: NHS stop smoking services are expected to play a key part in achieving the infant mortality and life expectancy health inequality targets in England by reducing smoking prevalence in deprived areas. This paper assesses the extent to which services have made a contribution to reducing inequalities in smoking between 2003-4 and 2005-6. Methods: Synthetic estimates of baseline smoking prevalence data were compared with national monitoring data about the numbers of smokers in receipt of services and the proportion who self report quilting at four weeks. The social distribution of service recipients and quitters was compared with estimates of smoking prevalence to assess impact on inequalities. Comparisons were made between officially designated disadvantaged areas (the Spearhead Group) and others. Results: Short-term cessation rates were lower in disadvantaged areas (52.6%) than elsewhere (57.9%) (p<0.001), but the proportion of smokers being treated was higher (16.7% compared with 13.4%) (p<0.001). The net effect was that a higher proportion of smokers in the most disadvantaged areas reported success (8.8%) than in more advantaged areas (7.8%) (p<0.001). Using the evidence-based assumption that three-quarters of short-term quitters will relapse within one year, the absolute and relative rate gaps in smoking prevalence between Spearhead areas and others are estimated to fall by small but for Health, University significant amounts from 5.2 and 1.215 (CIs: 1.216 to 1.213) to 5.0 and 1.212 (CIs: 1.213 to 1.210) between 2003-4 and 2005-6. Conclusion: NHS stop smoking services have probably made a modest contribution to reducing inequalities in smoking prevalence. To achieve government targets, however, requires both the development of more innovative cessation interventions for the most addicted smokers and action to ensure that other aspects of tobacco control policy make a larger contribution to inequality goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines data from developed countries to study the relation between income distribution and average life expectancy at birth. View advanced by Richard Wilkinson; Life expectancy as a key indicator of population health and economic development; Cross sectional comparisons.

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Focuses on the social inequalities on health in Australia. Development of national goals and target for health; Demand for medical services; Effectivity of health care delivery.

Investigates the health inequalities to children of single mothers in Europe. Occurrence of social deprivation; Association of inequalities with socioeconomic status; Causes of children mortality.

Investigates the public views on the aspects of health care system in Great Britain. Influence of methodological issues in public perceptions; Role of media in the changing the public opinions; Assessment on the levels of satisfaction with National Health Service.

Focuses on the scheme employed to monitor and evaluate the implementation of 'Working for Patients' initiated by the National Health Services in Great Britain. Summary of the research projects; Details of the project; Background of the managed competitions employed in the project.

Focuses on the health care system of the United States. Allocation of a percent in the gross national product for care and treatment of citizens; Efforts of the JAMA publication; Comparison of the British health care system.

Focuses on the influence of health policy on the improvement and length of the quality of life in Great Britain. Proposition on the improvement of the structure of the National Health Service; Argument on health policy; Impact of health policy on the differences between the health status among social groups.

Introduces a weighted capitation formula for the National Health Service in Great Britain. Proportion between health care resources and health care needs; Allocation of resources for hospital and community health service; Criticisms on the weighted capitation formula.