[Closing the gap in a generation: health equity through action on the social determinants of health. A challenge for the international community].

The aim of this contribution is to present the Report of 'Commission on Social Determinants of Health' (Who) published in August 2008, 30th Alma Ata Conference anniversary. The Report highlights major inequalities in life expectancy and rates of disease between rich and poor within countries as well as among different parts of the world. The report makes wide ranging recommendations in order to 'close the gap in a generation', emphasizing action on living conditions, access to services, social support, information and research. We will discuss the echoes from the scientific and media world and their impact on national and global scale.