When originally published in 1988, this book presented new evidence of inequalities in health found among communities in different areas of the North of England.

Peter Townsend was Professor of International Social Policy at the LSE and Emeritus Professor of Social Policy at the University of Bristol. Peter Phillimore is Professor of Social Anthropology, University of Newcastle. Alastair Beattie was Head of Information and Statistics for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.