Adult Social Care Glossary, v 0.6

Systematic, unfair and avoidable differences in health across the population and between different groups within society. They arise because of the conditions in which we are born, grow, live, work and age. These conditions influence our opportunities for good mental and physical health.

Systematic, unfair and avoidable differences across the population and between different groups within society in relation to health and social outcomes. They arise because of the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. These conditions influence people's opportunities, health and wellbeing.

Health inequalities are preventable and unjust differences in the health experienced by certain population groups. People in lower socio-economic groups are more likely to experience chronic ill-health and die earlier than those who are more advantaged. Health inequalities are not only apparent between people of different socio-economic groups they exist between different genders and different ethnic groups.

Differences in how healthy different groups of people are, and how easily they are able to get the health care they need. These differences may be affected by things like poverty, housing and education.