Tremendous gains have been made in advancing life expectancy around the world; however, marked disparities persist across socioeconomic gradients within countries and among countries globally. Exposure to disease-causing environmental agents also varies markedly by socioeconomic indicators; indoor and outdoor air pollution are exemplary in that regard. An ever-increasing body of evidence links environmental contaminants to diseases and poor health across the lifespan. This presentation addresses how the environment contributes to disparities in health and the potential to reduce disease burden through environmental management. The focus is on air pollution, but other examples will be explored, giving emphasis to the potential for prevention and the policies that are needed to do so.