On measuring inequalities in health

In a recent series of papers, Murray et at. have put forward a number of im portant ideas regarding the measurement of inequalities in health. In this paper we agree with some of these ideas but draw attention to one key aspec t of their approach - measuring inequalities on the basis of small area dat a - which is flawed. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the pro blem. An alternative approach drawing on longitudinal data is outlined, whi ch preserves and enhances the most desirable aspects of their proposal. The se include the use of a life course perspective, and the consideration of n on-fatal health outcomes as well as the more usual information on mortality patterns.