Health Equity
“Health equity is about the fair achievement of good health and wellbeing, and not simply the equal distribution of health care. It is a multidimensional concept that must be viewed within the context of inequities that affect health — including socioeconomic status, education, the physical environment, employment, and social support networks.”
Social Determinants of Health
“Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national, and local levels. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities – the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries.”
Social, economic, and environmental conditions affect health in a number of ways.
- Social Conditions – Social inequities occur when a person or group is treated unfairly because of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, or immigration status.
- Economic Conditions – Institutions such as governments, churches, corporations, or schools use their authority to create unequal opportunities among groups of people.
- Environmental Conditions – Where you live affects your health. Lower income neighborhoods tend to be in poor social, economic, and physical conditions.
- Health Behaviors – Smoking, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise are all behaviors that may lead to poor health. Social, economic, and environmental conditions affect health knowledge and health behaviors.
- Disease or Injury – Chronic disease or injury can result from inequities and health behaviors. Genetics also affect health differences.
- Mortality -Your social status, economic opportunities, where you live, and health behaviors all affect life expectancy”
