Poorer people are more likely to have a health condition than those who are better off.
The Pfizer Health Index Report for 2010 found that half of people in lower social groups suffer from a health condition compared to just 1/3 of people who are middle class.
Those who are less well off are 2.5 times more likely to suffer from arthritis, twice as likely to have heart disease and 3-times more likely to have depression.
A recent study in Britain found that giving children a better start in life, improving working conditions and job availability and improving living standards were vital in improving public health.
Professor Kevin Balanda is Associate Director of the Institute of Public Health.
