Part Three: Health Equity is my Kind of Buzzword

Explaining "hell-th" care is as complicated as healthcare itself. In other words, this is now part three out of— however much this series takes. Let's begin.

Health equity is an easy term to misuse. Many might confuse equity for health equality— which is, broadly, the differences in the health of individuals or groups. Very much like inequality, inequities exist everywhere in society, especially in the healthcare system.

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Health inequities are systemic, unfair, and avoidable differences in the opportunities groups have to achieve optimal health outcomes.

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Inequity is widely present in many aspects of social life, especially in healthcare. For example, the stark contrast between white and black infant mortality rates, the number or quality of hospitals in urban vs rural communities, or the affordability of prescription drugs for the upper-class compared to lower, working-class citizens all expose the unfair yet avoidable differences in health outcomes.

How have you seen health inequities in your own life?

Recently, health professionals, policymakers, and students alike have adopted this term worldwide. In my opinion, it's the most common buzzword in public health. In fact, most health organizations have implemented equity into their mission statements, created departments, and developed their strategic goals with the idea of equity in mind.

But why has health equity become such a buzzword in the health community?

Now, more than ever, we are all feeling the pressures of an inequitable healthcare system. Spurred mostly by the events that took place in 2020, issues concerning vaccine equity, COVID-19 disparities, racism, mental health, classism, and more have contributed to this overwhelming demand to promote equitable care.

"It just doesn’t seem fair, ya know." The fact that being healthy depends on having a “good” job, living in safe, affordable housing, or going to the best schools. It’s just not realistic for everyone in America or anyone anywhere. But does that mean we all don't deserve to live healthier and longer??

As an aspiring health policy professional, I want to bridge the gap in the healthcare industry that prioritizes profits over people and affluence over access.

Working with the Health Policy Institute of Ohio was like working with a dream team. Every publication they produced was centered around equity in healthcare. It felt great to work for an organization as dedicated to equitably increasing health value for all Ohioans as much as I am.

I think it is about time our society started paying more attention to equitable healthcare. Don't you agree?

We need to ask ourselves fundamental questions about the care we should all receive. Is it accessible? Are there implicit or explicit disparities? Are these disparities avoidable? If so, how can we prevent health inequities from plaguing our most vulnerable communities?

Eh, food for thought... if you're speaking my language :)