The draft Northern Ireland budget only "scratches the surface" of inequalities, according to a union. Patricia McKeown of Unison said a radical programme was needed to address poverty, ill health and low skills.
Under budget plans, health would get an additional Ј450m by 2010/11. Finance Minister Peter Robinson said it was the biggest sum invested in such services.
But Ms McKeown said the budget must be allocated "in ways which really tackle our unacceptable position".
"Unison is issuing a clear health warning," she said.
"Many of the underlying causes of inequality in our society need to be highlighted and resources allocated."
She said Mr Robinson needed to "listen to those who do the work and those who use the services, if we are to build a better future".
Mr Robinson said the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was the largest Northern Ireland department in terms of spend. He said the proposed allocation would address the causes of ill-health as well as illness itself.
These include reducing the numbers institutionalised in learning disability and mental health hospitals, and reducing hospital admissions for severe chronic disease, such as heart disease or respiratory conditions.
He said there should also be increased access to specialist drugs as well as improvements in cardiovascular and cancer services, with the aim of reducing deaths.
Mr Robinson added that the money would also enable the department to provide additional resources towards public health programmes including reducing the level of suicides in our society.
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