AbstractIn spite of the many attempts made at various periods of human history to arrive at an equalitarian society by reducing differences between the rich and the poor and by redistributing wealth, social inequalities have not disappeared and even seem to be increasing worldwide. Inequalities in health represent some of the social inequalities present in our society and are one of their most convincing indices. In industrialized countries, it has been consistently shown that total incidence of and mortality from cancer are higher in less favored socioeconomic groups, mainly due to increased rates at certain sites. The differences observed between socioeconomic groups within industrialized countries are similar, although not identical, to those prevailing between industrialized and developing countries. Occupational risks are becoming a very serious problem in developing countries, largely as a consequence of the transfer of hazardous industries from highly industrialized countries where certain industries are judged to be unacceptable. A similar double standard is applied toward tobacco advertising and sales in the industrialized and developing countries. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss Inc.