Low socioeconomic status is a major risk factor for poor health, this report finds. Comparing the rates of chronic disease and mortality across socioeconomic boundaries, it shows health disparities are persistent and growing. It suggests priority policy actions to mitigate the health impacts of disadvantage and reduce the burden of chronic diseases on Australia's most...

This issues paper highlights the complexity and dysfunction of the current health system in Australia and aims to bring attention to the considerable agreement across national health reviews over the past 35 years.