Addressing Health Disparities

Defining Health Inequity and Disparities

Health disparities arise when certain individuals and communities face disproportionately higher rates of health conditions such as breast cancer, obesity, and heart disease. These disparities stem from systemic factors that limit access to healthcare, create barriers to healthy living, and perpetuate health inequities.

Health Inequality vs. Health Disparity vs. Health Inequity

Health inequality refers to the unequal distribution of health resources, such as healthcare access and quality. Health disparity is a measurable difference in health outcomes between different population groups. Health inequity, on the other hand, is a broader concept that encompasses both inequality and disparity, recognizing the unfair and unjust distribution of health outcomes caused by structural and social factors.

Global Data on Health Inequality

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the Health Inequality Data Repository, a comprehensive collection of publicly available data on health disparities. This repository provides a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and advocates seeking to address health inequality.