Health equity is a term used to discuss the challenges of ensuring everyone has access to the health care, resources, and opportunities they need to stay healthy. Health equity is just another way that people are talking about inequity with regard to health care. If you’re interested in knowing more about what this means, keep reading!
What Is Health Equity?
The idea that all people, no matter their race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation, should have equal access to all resources related to health is what defines health equity. When people talk about the importance of health equity, they’re not saying we have to have equal access to health care. They’re simply saying we should strive for equal access to all resources, regardless of a person’s identity, including health care, as well as education, employment, housing, transportation, and other resources that make up a healthy, productive life. Health equity also means that people should have equitable access to social support systems like health care providers who are knowledgeable about different identities and cultures. Health equity is about more than just the resources people have access to. It’s also about the barriers that are in place that make people feel like they don’t have equal access to the resources they do have access to.
Why is it Important to Ensure Everyone Has Access to Healthcare?
The ability to access quality health care is essential to living a healthy life. Access to health care also plays a crucial role in socioeconomic and racial equity. Poor people and people of color are more likely to experience health inequities than people who are wealthier and white. Many people may think that health equity only applies to healthcare providers, but this is also a barrier to health equity. Healthcare providers of color, women, low-income families and people with disabilities often have fewer options for practice types and positions, and struggle to establish themselves in the health care system.
Defining Terms in Health Care: Who Poses the Greatest Barrier?
The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) defines health equity using the following terms: – Access – The ability to receive appropriate health care. – Affordability – The ability to pay for health care on a regular basis. – Adequacy – The standard or quality of care as judged by the patient and/or the health care provider. – Equity – The equitable distribution of health care resources. – Equity vs. Equality – Health equity is about achieving equitable access to resources, not equality. While there are many goals of health equity, equality is not one of them. Health equity is about achieving equitable access to resources like health care and education, but it’s not about the same level of quality. For example, you may be able to receive adequate health care, but you still may not be able to access healthcare or receive treatment for treatable conditions because you’re living in an area where there are few healthcare providers or you can’t afford healthcare.
Key Takeaways
Health equity is the idea that everyone should have equitable access to resources that promote health, including health care, education, and housing. Health equity is about more than just resources, though. It’s about people feeling like they have equitable access to the resources they do have access to, and the barriers that are in place that make people feel like they don’t have equal access to the resources they do have access to. They have access to good jobs and affordable homes and transportation. In order to achieve health equity, we need to address the barriers that are in place that make people feel like they don’t have access to the resources they do have access to.