[Unhealthy differences. Part I. Socioeconomic deprivation and health]

Socioeconomic deprivation often concurs with deprivation in health. In this paper, the available evidence on socioeconomic health differences in The Netherlands is summarized. Furthermore explanations for the existence of these differences are given. Socioeconomic deprivation often leads to a worse health, but the reverse can also occur sometimes. Policies on the causes of these health differences usually concern fields like income distribution and employment. Health care can offer a compensation for the adverse health effects of socioeconomic deprivation.