ADDRESSING HEALTH EQUITY

When we use the term “health equity” in our work, we are referring to efforts to ensure access to quality health care, preventive services, quality food, health-promoting environments and resources, and quality living conditions. Access to these social determinants of health is important to individuals, families, and whole communities. When they are lacking, one’s health and even longevity are often negatively affected. In fact, because of the uneven distribution of these health-promoting assets, someone’s zip code can be a better predictor of life expectancy than their genetic code.

Health disparities – Differences in the incidence and prevalence of health conditions and health status between groups are based on race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender, diverse abilities/disabilities, geographic location, or any combination of these. The term “disparity” implies differences between individuals and population groups. The term “inequity” refers to differences that are unnecessary and avoidable and are also considered unfair and unjust (e.g., individuals in community B suffer higher rates of asthma, obesity and chronic illness than individuals in community A because of a lack of fresh produce, lack of places for physical activity, and higher levels of air pollution).

Advancing health equity means to ensure everyone has opportunities to attain their full health potential and no one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of his or her social position or other socially determined circumstances. The Y utilizes a four-pillar approach to health equity work: Principles, Programs, Partnerships and Policy. Ys that work within all four pillars will likely see the greatest levels of success bridging gaps in health equity.