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Equity in Healthcare
What is health? “Health is a state of complete physical, social, and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (World Health Organization, 1948).
What is public health? “Public health is what we, as a society, do collectively to assure the conditions in which [all] people can be healthy” (Institute of Medicine [1988], Future of Public Health).
What determines health?
Social Determinants of Health
What is health equity? Health equity is achieved when every person can attain their “full health potential,” and no one is “disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or other socially determined circumstances.” Health inequities are reflected in differences in length of life; quality of life; rates of disease, disability, and death; severity of disease; and access to treatment. (Centers for Disease Control)
Please watch this quick video highlighting the foundational difference between “Equality” and “Equity.” These terms are often used interchangeably, but they are not!
Health Inequity is differences in health status between more and less socially and economically advantaged groups, caused by systemic differences in social conditions and processes that effectively determine health.
Health inequities are avoidable, unjust, and can be acted upon. That is where we come in.
Structural inequities are structures or systems of society — such as finance, housing, transportation, education, social opportunity, etc. — that are structured in such a way that they benefit one population unfairly (whether intended or not).
Who is affected by these inequities in Virginia?
- African Americans
- Children
- Individuals with mental health challenges
- LGBTQ+ community
- Immigrants
- Refugees
- Hispanics/Latinos
- Rural Virginians
- Women
- Older Virginians
- Persons with disabilities
- Individuals in poverty / without insurance
- And more…
This game is an eye-opening view into the tough financial decisions that our patients often have to face.
Health inequities in Virginia are significant and persistent, especially by race. On average, in Virginia, an African American infant has more than double the chance of dying in the first year of life as a white infant.
Further example of health inequities by Richmond neighborhood and race. See the differences?
Achieving healthcare equity and eliminating health disparities informs a number of strategies in the clinic:
- Value everybody you come across
- Make intentional and consistent efforts to recognize that not all patients are the same, and the approach to receiving care will be different for everyone
- Be mindful of these inequities at play in our lives, and work to correct these injustices
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