In recent European Public Health research an increasing gap in life expectancy between higher an lower socio-economic status groups in populations was documented, in particular from Scandinavian countries and United Kingdom. To a lesser or greater extent, this social gradient affects all socioeconomic groups below the top, not simply those at the bottom. The contribution of factors related to health care systems in explaining this gradient is of limited importance. Health-related lifestyle factors and stressful conditions resulting from relative social deprivation both within and outside working life were shown to be relevant determinants. The paper presents selected examples of respective socio-epidemiological research and discusses their implications for public health services.