Numerous investigators have examined the pathways through which disparities in economic, educational and occupational status and discrimination lead to observed disparities in health status. Traditionally this examination has served to guide interventions at the proximate-cause or individual level; for example, promoting exercise to reduce the rates and risks of childhood obesity, where obesity has been found to be higher in lower-SES populations. A preponderance of recent work, however, points to income, wealth, education and discrimination as root causes and therefore as more promising leverage points for change. That is, addressing underlying disparities is more likely to produce broad, sustainable reductions in health disparities.