Poverty, relative deprivation and social exclusion have a major impact on health and premature death, and the chances of living in poverty are loaded heavily towards some social groups. Absolute poverty – a lack of the basic material necessities of life – continues to exist, even in the richest countries of Europe. Unemployed people, many ethnic minority groups, guest workers, disabled people, refugees and homeless people are at particular risk. People living on the streets suffer the highest rates of premature death.