Michael Marmot is an internationally acclaimed public health specialist and a distinguished epidemiologist. Marmot heads an active epidemiology research program on social and cultural determinants of health and ill-health. His work on cardiovascular disease has led to important strategies of prevention and heath policy. His new research includes investigating social gradients in health in Japan, causes of East-West differences in coronary heart disease, and pursuing an initiative on psychological triggers of biological pathways of disease. (#23792)