“In a world that is currently dominated by market-driven economics, and by associated evidence of a widening gap between rich and poor, this presents a major challenge to national governments and international agencies. Macroeconomic policies have major influences on population health in all countries, yet are usually established with little or no consideration of health impacts. For example, income tax reductions made under regimes of structural adjustment policies have led to cutbacks in health services and increased the disease burden in many populations. Improvement in population health requires increased consideration of equity, and how risks are distributed among populations. Both existing and future-potential environmental health problems share many of the same underlying causes related to poverty, inequality, excessive consumption in affluent groups and population growth.” Source: IPCC, 2000