Promoting health equity is at the forefront of public health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes health equity as offering everyone a fair opportunity to achieve their highest level of health. Health equity emphasizes opportunities and resources specific to an individual’s needs. Health equity is not to be confused with health equality, which focuses on giving everyone the same resources and opportunities, regardless of their unique circumstances.
Graduates of an advanced degree program — like the online Master of Public Health (MPH) program from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) — are prepared to apply effective strategies for health equity. They can pursue roles like health informatics specialist, healthcare administrator, epidemiologist, public health project manager or public health educator. With foundational public health knowledge gained through a rigorous curriculum, graduates can promote equitable public health approaches in various settings.
Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health
Achieving health equity requires understanding health disparities and social determinants of health (SDOH). Health disparities are preventable health differences that correlate with social, economic or environmental disadvantages. These disparities can include mortality, status of mental health and access to health care. SDOH are the conditions in which people live, work and play that affect health outcomes. These factors are non-medical.
Some examples of SDOH include employment, housing status or access to education and transportation. These factors determine the health equity of an environment. The economic burden of health inequities is significant and negatively contributes to the impact of the population’s health and economic growth.
Health equity recognizes that social, economic and environmental factors drive disparities in health outcomes and determinants. These barriers to healthcare can be removed through a combination of policy changes, community engagement and efforts to address health disparities and the SDOH.
Solutions to Improving Health Equity
The Center for American Progress (CAP) reports a decline in the average life expectancy in the U.S., predominately for populations of color and those who live in poverty. To improve overall community health, CAP suggests the following for improving health equity across populations:
- Stop the spread of COVID-19 and other preventable diseases.
- Invest in a public health infrastructure.
- Address the substance abuse epidemic.
- Reduce poverty and improve economic stability.
- Improve access to quality education.
- Improve access to affordable, safe and stable housing.
- Improve access to quality healthcare.
- Build and reinforce social connections and safe communities.
- Place racial equity and inclusive policies at the forefront.
Making these initiatives a priority can improve health disparities and advance health equity. Through courses like Public Health Interventions and Public Health Policy and Administration, SIUE’s program provides students with skills to apply these strategies.
Healthy People 2030
The mission of Healthy People 2030 is to “promote, strengthen, and evaluate the nation’s efforts to improve the health and well-being of all people.” The organization has the following foundational principles:
- To have a thriving, equitable society, people and communities must be healthy.
- Health, well-being and disease prevention directly affect physical, mental and social health.
- Investing in health and well-being for the community benefits society.
- To achieve health and well-being, health disparities must be eliminated, health equity must be realized and health literacy must be attained.
- The potential to achieve health and well-being depends on a healthy physical, social and economic environment.
- National, state, tribal and community levels — including the public, private and not-for-profit sectors — are equally responsible for promoting health and well-being nationwide.
- Decision-making and policies across all sectors should aim to ensure and optimize the health and well-being of the community.
The overall goal of Healthy People 2030 is to have society where disparities such as poverty and discrimination are eliminated and access to good jobs, quality education, housing, safe environments and healthcare is granted. These conditions allow everyone to reach their full health potential. To foster an equitable setting, Health People 2030 utilizes evidence-based resources. It sets detailed, measurable objectives and creates policies and practices that address the specific needs of many populations, improving the well-being of all.
The SIUE online MPH program prepares graduates for a meaningful career in public health through high quality instruction. The in-depth knowledge that graduates gain afford them the opportunities make an impact on the health of their communities.
Learn more about SIUE’s online Master of Public Health program.
