Health Equity
Health equity refers to the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. It arises from access to the social determinants of health, specifically from wealth, power, and prestige. Achieving health equity requires ongoing societal efforts to address historical and contemporary injustices, overcome economic, social, and other obstacles to health and healthcare, and eliminate preventable health disparities. It is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, but a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. Achieving health equity also involves valuing everyone equally and addressing avoidable inequalities, historical and contemporary injustices, and the elimination of health and healthcare disparities.
Health and health equity are determined by the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, play, and age, as well as biological determinants. Structural determinants, such as political, legal, and economic factors, along with social norms and institutional processes, shape the distribution of power and resources. Discriminatory practices, embedded in institutional and systems processes, often lead to groups being under-represented in decision-making at all levels or underserved. Achieving health equity requires addressing social determinants of health and health disparities, as well as acknowledging and addressing racism as a threat to public health and the history of unethical practices in public health that lead to inequitable health outcomes.
In summary, health equity is a fundamental human right and is achieved when everyone can attain their full potential for health and well-being. It involves valuing everyone equally, addressing avoidable inequalities, and eliminating health and healthcare disparities through ongoing societal efforts.
