Week 3 Health equity and
place
Laura Porto-Roquett, Pharm, MPH
Ph.D. Student
What is health equity?
Everyone has a fair opportunity to live Is the principle underlying a
a long and healthy life. commitment to reduce disparities in
health and in its determinants…
What Strong evidence
is the
basis
Economic/social
disadvantage can be
ameliorated
for Have a basis in principles
these from the fields of ethics
and human rights
Health
differences or
Health disparities
• Health differences…
• Health disparities
• difference, variation, or inequality.
• “worse health among socially disadvantaged
people and, in particular, members of
disadvantaged racial/ethnic groups and
economically disadvantaged people within
any racial/ethnic group.”
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
Who is • Those who have systematically experienced
affected is greater
• Social or economic obstacles to health
what make • Racial or ethnic group
it a • Religion
• Socioeconomic status
disparity • Gender
• Cognitive, sensory, or physical disability
• Sexual orientation or gender identity
• Geographic location
So, Health equity is…
“The attainment of the highest level of health for all people”
“Requires valuing everyone equally with focused and
ongoing societal efforts to address avoidable inequalities,
historical and contemporary injustices, and the elimination of
health and healthcare disparities.”
Why equity instead of equality?
How can
we
address
inequalitie
s?
What
is
• “an obligation to address
the root causes of ill health,
recognizing that
health socioeconomic
determinants have many
causes, and solutions, that
justice are beyond public health’s
exclusive expertise.”
?
Triple aim
of health
equity
A Health equity framework
Lay the Take Action
Foundation
Build Knowledge: equity is multiscalar
Community First
Let go of your own agenda: keep an
open mind and listen and learn from
the people you serve
Know the whole story: intersectionality
Measurables from the community
Investigate state power/inequity
Build Trust: reciprocal relationships
Have honest conversations about
racism, inequality Incorporate an ecosocial view
Build partnerships- community health Involve the community in action
requires all parts of the Community (unless it is burdensome)
Know when to step aside
Health and Places
Environmenta
l Health
• Is the study and
management of
environmental conditions
that affect our health and
well-being.
• The neighborhoods
people live in have a
major impact on their
health and well-being.
Natural
Environm
ent
Built
Environment
Human
impact on
the
Environm
ent
What can be done?
Environmenta
l Injustice
• Individual and Community Health
• Educational outcomes
• Climate
• Mental health
• Spiritual health
• Economic (cost of illness,
property de-valuation, flood
insurance)
• Ecosystem harm
• Food (hunger, access, toxins)
• Water (flooding, cost of bottled
water)
• Others you would add?
Stress and health Good stress and bad
disparities stress
Environmen
tal Trauma
How to address
environmental
trauma
Building
Health
Equity
Healthy People
Local conditions support
healthy behaviors and
choices where people live,
work, learn, and play.
Topics within this theme
include active living,
healthy eating & food sec
urity
, access to health care,
mental health care,
accessibility to parks and
recreation, stress
reduction, decision-
making power, and
autonomy.
Building
Health
Equity
Healthy Society
Vibrant places and spaces
cultivate belonging, inclusion,
connectedness, and
engagement. Topics within
this theme include
inclusive communities (
age-friendly,
social connectedness, and
welcoming communities),
public involvement (
citizen engagement,
community capacity building,
and healthy public policy), and
vibrant economies,
employment, housing,
education, investment,
community power.
Building
Health
Equity
Healthy Places
Well-planned built environments
and sustainable natural
environments support all
citizens to thrive, now and in
the future. Topics within this
theme include
built environments (
active transportation,
healthy neighborhood design,
and healthy housing), and
natural environments (
clean air & water, climate action
, and parks & greenspace),
healing from environmental
trauma, trauma-informed
approaches to designing and
building healthy communities.
