Since the end of World War II, Western European countries have tried to reduce socioeconomic inequality, or offset its consequences, through progressive taxation, social security programs, and a wide range of collectively financed provisions, such as public housing, education, health care, and cultural and leisure facilities. But, while these policies have reduced inequalities in some social and economic outcomes, including income, housing quality, and health-care access, they have been insufficient to eliminate health inequalities.
二战结束以来，西欧国家试图通过累进税、社会保障计划和各种集体出资项目（比如公共住房、教育、医疗和文化和休闲设施）来抑制社会经济不平等性或抵消其后果。但是，尽管这些政策在一些社会和经济结果中降低了不平等性（包括收入、住房质量和卫生服务等方面），它们仍不足以消除健康不平等性。