Everywhere in the world, issues of equitable access are
fundamental to improving the health of all the people
1
.
Limitations of access to information, to services for
prevention and treatment, or to good quality health-related
products are among the many factors that create gradients in
health status within and between societies.
High levels of malnutrition, maternal and child mortality
and infections with HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and a number of
pathogenic tropical parasites in some developing countries
have attracted much attention and led to the establishment of
the Millennium Development Goals
2
to reduce some of the
starkest health gradients between countries. But these do not
address the broader health conditions that affect people
throughout the world, including a host of noncommunicable
diseases that are becoming increasingly prevalent in low- and
middle-income countries3
, nor the wide range of factors and
determinants that act as pre-conditions for people to achieve
and maintain good health.