Editors: ALAN MONCRIEFF, M.D..
A report published for the Socialist Medical Association of Great Britain regards reductions in mortality in the last 50 years as mainly due to improved living standards, the first fruits of a social revolution. For major causes of death and disability, however, there are still class differences of over 100% due to environmental and therefore removable handicaps. Improved medical services are important, but secondary. Since children now form only 20% of the population, economic necessity as well as social justice demand that protection and encouragement of child health should become an absolute priority in national service.