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Health inequalities and the social gradients in health have been a major issue in the public health debate for many years, and there have been many attempts to improve health literacy and numeracy, knowledge about determinants of illness, stress, and well-being. A policy objective is to create the resources and opportunities that enable all people to maximize their capabilities and have control over their lives. Several excellent public health centers worldwide target such issues, among them the Institute of Health Equity at the University College of London (http://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/). The present paper goes beyond the description and explanation of health inequity by focusing on a narrow topic which is parsimonious health promotion programs for all, and their theoretical backdrop.