The quality of life in a society is one of the most powerful determinants of health: poverty and unemployment, poor housing and lack of education, child poverty and problems in early childhood development all take their toll.

Researchers are now discovering that it's not the richest countries that have the best health: it's the most egalitarian. Monica Townson warns that failure to address social and economic inequality will have a serious impact on the health of Canadians. Inequalities have been increasing over the past decade as rates of poverty, unemployment and homelessness have risen. The gap between rich and poor in Canada is widening and Townson maintains this has dangerous implications for our health.

Health and Wealth looks at the effects of inequality in Canada and discusses the kinds of co-ordinated efforts that would be needed at all levels of government to achieve better health for all citizens.

MONICA TOWNSON is an independent economic consultant working in the field of social policy. She has been a consultant to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, served on the Pension Commission of Ontario for eleven years and was a member of the Canada Pension Plan Advisory Board. She chaired the Ontario Fair Tax Commission which reported in 1993 after a three-year review of the tax system. She is the author of many books and studies and a frequent guest on television and radio.

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