New public health governance arrangements under the coalition government have wide reaching implications for the delivery of health inequality interventions.

Through the framework of understanding health inequalities as a 'wicked problem' the book develops an applied approach to researching, understanding and addressing these by drawing on complexity theory. Case studies illuminate the text, illustrating and discussing the issues in real life terms and enabling public health, health promotion and health policy students at postgraduate level to fully understand and address the complexities of health inequalities.

The book is a valuable resource on current UK public health practice for academics, researchers and public health practitioners.

"An absolute 'must read' for health-care practitioners and social scientists, this book makes a compelling case for 'the way forward' for policy makers." Brian Castellani, Kent State University
"An excellent overview of research on health inequality and measures to reduce them. The examples, while drawn mainly from the UK, have international relevance for the debate about 'what works' in tackling these inequalities." Sarah Curtis, FBA, Professor of Health and Risk, Durham University
“This is a very important book and a must-read for anyone interested in doing applied social science in today’s political climate where evidence and complexity matter.” Emma Uprichard, Warwick University

Jonathan Wistow is a researcher and teaching fellow, in School of Applied Social Sciences, Durham University. His interests include health inequalities, governance and local government.

Tim Blackman is Professor of Sociology and Social Policy and Vice-President for Research at The Open University, UK, where his work currently focuses on urban change.

David Byrne is Professor of Applied Social Sciences at Durham University. His interests include complexity theory, social inequality and the methodology of applied social science.

Gerald Wistow is a Visiting Professor in Social Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science. His interests include integrating local government and the NHS, social care funding and the economic consequences of community capacity building.