Health Inequalities vs. Health Inequities
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Health Inequalities | Differences in health status or healthcare access between groups | Rural vs. urban areas having different hospital access |
| Health Inequities | Unfair and avoidable differences caused by poor policies or injustice | Poor communities suffering worse health due to poverty |
🔑 In short:
➤ Inequalities = differences
➤ Inequities = unfair and unjust differences
🌍 Examples of Health Inequities
- Income and Wealth
- Poorer people have higher rates of chronic illness and shorter life expectancy.
- Can’t always afford healthy food, housing, or healthcare.
- Race and Ethnicity
- Black, Indigenous, and other ethnic minorities often face higher risks of diseases due to systemic racism and poor access to care.
- Example: In the U.S., Black women are 3x more likely to die from childbirth than white women.
- Gender
- Women may receive less aggressive treatment for heart disease.
- Transgender individuals often face discrimination in healthcare settings.
- Geography
- People in remote or rural areas often travel far for care, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
- Disability
- Physical barriers and healthcare provider bias can limit access to proper care.
- Mental health stigma can prevent people from getting help.
🏥 Root Causes of Health Inequities
- Poverty and unemployment
- Discrimination and systemic bias
- Poor housing and unsafe neighborhoods
- Lack of education
- Limited access to healthy food and clean water
- Weak public health policies
🛠️ How to Reduce Health Inequities
- Universal healthcare access
- Better health education in schools
- Culturally competent care
- Policies that address income, housing, and education gaps
- Community engagement in health decisions
- Collecting and analyzing data by race, income, gender, etc.
📚 Summary
Health inequalities = measurable differences.
Health inequities = those differences caused by unfair, systemic conditions.
⚠️ Focusing only on “inequality” without addressing why it exists often misses the root issue: injustice.
