Egalitarian aspects of medical and social services

Unmet needs for medical and social services are present in all socioeconomi c strata, but workers and poor people suffer most. Satisfaction of the need s of these groups could help to narrow the differences in health and surviv al between social classes. As needs for services change with the historical period, age, and changing attitudes to help-seeking in younger generations , we require cohort studies of needs measured directly in random samples of the population. Cohort analyses could form the basis for future plans to p rovide services equitably.