The Fund supports networks of state health policy decision makers to help identify, inspire, and inform policy leaders.
A bipartisan group of state health policymakers from both the executive and legislative branches who are focused on improving population health.
Networks of state officials, advocates, and others aiming to invest in and transform primary care.
A program dedicated to advancing state-based efforts to make health care more affordable for residents, employers, and states.
The Milbank Memorial Fund supports two state leadership programs for legislative and executive branch state government officials committed to improving population health.
A leadership development program for early and mid-career state government officials who are committed to improving the health of all people in their communities.
A leadership program for senior state government officials who are committed to improving population health.
The Fund focuses on creating an affordable health care system built on strong primary care and partnerships that improve health outcomes for all.
Improving state leaders’ ability to enact and implement evidence-based health policies.
Advancing policies that create a more prevention- and primary care-oriented health system.
Improving population health through policies that contain health care cost growth.
Our state health policy resources offer relevant data analysis and best practices.
The Fund publishes reports, issues briefs, and case studies on state health policy issues.
Short takes on health policy issues from Milbank staff and guest authors.
Insights from Milbank President Debra Lubar on state health policymaking.
Reported articles and Q&As on timely health policy issues, as well as foundation updates.
Milbank Memorial Fund and Milbank Quarterly webinars featuring state health policymakers and researchers.
Updates and expert contact information for reporters.
The Milbank Memorial Fund is a private foundation that works to improve population health and health equity.
September 1998 (Volume 76)
Quarterly Article
Robert P. Huefner
Norman J. Waitzman
Sep 22, 2026
Back to The Milbank Quarterly
The relations between health and socioeconomic status (SES) have important implications for health and for broader issues of economic strength and social policy. The studies reported here help us to understand several dimensions of the relation between socioeconomic conditions and health, but there remains considerable uncertainty about their meaning and about what the remedies should be. Research can advance our knowledge, but full understanding and complete consensus likely will continue to elude us. Nevertheless, these studies can help policy makers focus on what else needs to be known and on the possible responses. Does the negative correlation of health with socioeconomic disparities justify efforts to reduce their impact? Or is Syme correct in stating that attempts to reduce political, social, or economic inequalities are fruitless, leading to the conclusion that they should be addressed through limited projects like education for “control of destiny”? To use Marmot’s terminology, should intervention be “upstream” or “downstream”? Another issue concerns the possible focus of interventions: federal, state, or local. The political acceptability of interventions is yet another issue: should questions of justice be raised to support interventions, or is the Dutch consensual approach (described by Whitehead), which eschews such argument, more likely to achieve success?
Author(s): Robert P. Huefner; Norman J. Waitzman
Read on Wiley Online Library
Read on JSTOR
Volume 76, Issue 3 (page 507) DOI: 10.1111/1468-0009.00101 Published in 1998