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Health systems

Health systems Equity

About
Equity is the absence of avoidable or remediable differences among groups of
people, whether those groups are defined socially, economically, demographically, Health systems
or geographically. Health inequities therefore involve more than inequality with
Health systems topics
respect to health determinants, access to the resources needed to improve and
A well-functioning health system
Universal health coverage maintain health or health outcomes. They also entail a failure to avoid or overcome
working in harmony is built on having
inequalities that infringe on fairness and human rights norms.
trained and motivated health
Publications workers, a well-maintained infrastructure,
Reducing health inequities is important
and a reliable supply of medicines
Tools and databases because health is a fundamental human
and technologies, backed by adequate
right and its progressive realization will
funding, strong health plans and
News eliminate inequalities that result from
evidence-based policies.
differences in health status (such as
disease or disability) in the opportunity
to enjoy life and pursue one's life plans.
Key expected results
A characteristic common to groups that
experience health inequities—such as Making a difference
poor or marginalized persons, racial and
ethnic minorities, and women—is lack of WHO/Stephenie Hollyman Leadership update
political, social or economic power.
Thus, to be effective and sustainable, interventions that aim to redress inequities WHO priorities
must typically go beyond remedying a particular health inequality and also help
empower the group in question through systemic changes, such as law reform or
changes in economic or social relationships.

Health systems web sites

Equity Helpful resources
Essential Medicines and Health Products
Equity and social indicators
Health financing for universal coverage
Indicators for monitoring the Millennium Development Goals Health statistics and information systems

Equity and development Health workforce

Health systems recovery
World Development Report 2006 - Overview [pdf 203kb]
Health systems governance
Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health Report
Service delivery and safety
Health evidence and equity

Health Evidence Network

Partners
Social determinants
Commission on Social Determinants of Health UHC2030

Socioeconomic Determinants of Health P4H Social Health Protection Network

Social Determinants of Health Alliance for Health Policy and Systems

Research
Public Health Agency of Canada
Childcare resource and research unit
Inclusive Cities Canada

Health systems Health systems topics Equity

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