Health inequality refers to differences in the health of individuals or communities. Health inequity, or health disparity, is a specific type of health inequality that denotes an unjust difference in health. This can include differences in health resources distribution, access to health services, as well as health status, outcomes, rights, and opportunities. Social factors such as gender, education, employment status, income level, and ethnicity determine the health status of such populations. There is ample evidence that health inequalities are widening between and within countries, as well as between populations of higher and lower socio-economic status, gender, race/ethnicity, and other axes of inequality. The World Health Organization (WHO) used the World Health Day 2021 to mark health equity and commence a year-long equity campaign aiming to bring people together to build a fairer, healthier world. Nonetheless, research focusing on both individual, community, and institutional actions in bridging the inequality gap has largely been ignored; particularly, in the area of access to health and healthcare.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further illuminated and magnified health inequities. Based on recent evidence, inequalities are predicted to increase in the future, further threatening health equity and the right to health of all persons. Community actions play a vital role in promoting health equity, as they occur at a level closer to individuals and can be better targeted towards high-risk individuals. These actions could be community-based solutions that are driven by community members or community-based collaboration with interventions that include community participation at varying degrees. According to WHO, to improve health inequity, evidence-informed action is required: (1) by the health sector to ensure high-quality and effective services are available, accessible, and acceptable to everyone, everywhere when they need them; and (2) by health and or other sectors to act on the wider structural determinants of health to tackle the inequitable distribution of power and resources, and to improve daily living conditions. This research theme will contribute to the field by cataloging articles that document health inequality and inequity globally including those that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, thus, providing required evidence for action. It will also include articles that document innovative approaches and best practices to address health inequality and inequity through community action.
The scope of this Research Topic includes:
• Community-focused research that addresses or targets persons who face inequities in health care access or outcomes;
• Health events or crises that create or widen inequality between social groups;
• Community-focused research that describes health inequalities and inequities;
• Global, regional, or national efforts to promote health equality and equity in health care access or outcomes;
• Community actions to improve health equality and equity;
• Community education, participation, health promotion, disease prevention, and developmental activities that would reduce social inequalities.
Health inequality refers to differences in the health of individuals or communities. Health inequity, or health disparity, is a specific type of health inequality that denotes an unjust difference in health. This can include differences in health resources distribution, access to health services, as well as health status, outcomes, rights, and opportunities. Social factors such as gender, education, employment status, income level, and ethnicity determine the health status of such populations. There is ample evidence that health inequalities are widening between and within countries, as well as between populations of higher and lower socio-economic status, gender, race/ethnicity, and other axes of inequality. The World Health Organization (WHO) used the World Health Day 2021 to mark health equity and commence a year-long equity campaign aiming to bring people together to build a fairer, healthier world. Nonetheless, research focusing on both individual, community, and institutional actions in bridging the inequality gap has largely been ignored; particularly, in the area of access to health and healthcare.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further illuminated and magnified health inequities. Based on recent evidence, inequalities are predicted to increase in the future, further threatening health equity and the right to health of all persons. Community actions play a vital role in promoting health equity, as they occur at a level closer to individuals and can be better targeted towards high-risk individuals. These actions could be community-based solutions that are driven by community members or community-based collaboration with interventions that include community participation at varying degrees. According to WHO, to improve health inequity, evidence-informed action is required: (1) by the health sector to ensure high-quality and effective services are available, accessible, and acceptable to everyone, everywhere when they need them; and (2) by health and or other sectors to act on the wider structural determinants of health to tackle the inequitable distribution of power and resources, and to improve daily living conditions. This research theme will contribute to the field by cataloging articles that document health inequality and inequity globally including those that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, thus, providing required evidence for action. It will also include articles that document innovative approaches and best practices to address health inequality and inequity through community action.
The scope of this Research Topic includes:
• Community-focused research that addresses or targets persons who face inequities in health care access or outcomes;
• Health events or crises that create or widen inequality between social groups;
• Community-focused research that describes health inequalities and inequities;
• Global, regional, or national efforts to promote health equality and equity in health care access or outcomes;
• Community actions to improve health equality and equity;
• Community education, participation, health promotion, disease prevention, and developmental activities that would reduce social inequalities.
