Public Health & Health Equity
Health equity—the attainment of the highest possible level of health for all people—is a fundamental (though sometimes overlooked) goal of public health. A right to the attainment of optimal health was articulated in the Constitution of the World Health Organization in 1948 and continues to be central to the human rights-based approach to health, as well as other more recent initiatives such as Health in All Policies approach and Dr. Michael Marmot’s fairness agenda.
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The Health Equity Guide presented here aims to consolidate a rapidly emerging base of literature that shares the common values of social justice, but appears to be somewhat divergent in nature.
In lieu of adopting a singular frame of analysis or approach, this guide synthesizes the application of health equity-related evidence across neighborhoods and communities, healthcare systems and populations. It uses the social justice approach to overcome the disciplinary digressions in health care, public health and population health. By highlighting a continuum of approaches, we hope to promote efforts that together can address the range of pathways through which social and economic injustice lead to health inequities. We believe that the human, social and economic costs of unaddressed inequities drive a practical, as well as a moral, imperative for change.
The Health Equity Guide for Public Health Practitioners and Partners builds on the understanding of the stream parable, and our work further hones it to reflect the inequities prevalent in our communities today.
Click here to view our representation of the parable.
In lieu of adopting a singular frame of analysis or approach, this guide synthesizes the application of health equity-related evidence across neighborhoods and communities, healthcare systems and populations. It uses the social justice approach to overcome the disciplinary digressions in health care, public health and population health. By highlighting a continuum of approaches, we hope to promote efforts that together can address the range of pathways through which social and economic injustice lead to health inequities. We believe that the human, social and economic costs of unaddressed inequities drive a practical, as well as a moral, imperative for change.
The Health Equity Guide for Public Health Practitioners and Partners builds on the understanding of the stream parable, and our work further hones it to reflect the inequities prevalent in our communities today.
Click here to view our representation of the parable.
Our WorkThis guide—which is a work in progress—is designed to support public health practitioners, healthcare providers, community partner organizations, policy makers, public health advocacy coalitions, as well as concerned citizens. It embodies a wide range of resources and strategies to promote health at multiple levels, and can be used to help reduce health inequities across an array of policy domains. The authors draw from a vast range of accredited scholarly work, technical reports, as well as organizational and program websites to provide insight into the socio-political structures and policy networks through which social determinants influence health.
Future Direction
The guide currently lacks direct engagement with communities that face social injustice, and we look forward to opportunities to learn from and partner with those communities as we move forward. Please share your questions, concerns, comments and recommendations with us so that we can improve upon the content provided here and work together to achieve health equity.
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Origin and Purpose
The Health Equity Guide was originally created with the intent to support the Delaware Division of Public Health in the implementation of its health equity strategy. In this way, it is intended as a practical resource for professionals.
At the same time, we see the need for a more politically-aware approach to evidence based practice in public health, and this guide is an attempt to drive public dialogue in the right direction. It provides tools for health equity advocates at different levels of influence to shape healthy public policies. Resources
Much of the material provided in the guide is publicly available on the web and/or reproduced with permission. It relies heavily on important work that is being done by others in communities across the country. We are grateful for the work that they do and for their willingness to share information about their efforts. Please see our resources tab and links throughout the site for additional information and sources.
A detailed list of the resources we use throughout the guide can be found on our Resources page. |
