Health Disparities and Equity

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Questions and Answers

What was one of the overarching goals of Healthy People 2010?

To promote health insurance coverage for all

To eliminate health disparities among different segments of the population (correct)

To increase the number of healthcare providers

To enhance public health funding

What is a key aspect of achieving health equity mentioned in the content?

Creating more healthcare facilities

Establishing diverse definitions of health disparities (correct)

Increasing patient interactions

Improving technology in healthcare

Which term is used in the content to refer to the most comparable concept outside the United States?

Health effectiveness

Health access

Health inequalities (correct)

Health integration

What type of policies are suggested to help reduce health disparities?

Social policies related to child care and education Signup and view all the answers

Who convened the subcommittee related to health disparities?

The Secretary of Health and Human Services Signup and view all the answers

What does health equity fundamentally reflect?

A commitment to reducing health disparities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines social disadvantage?

Unfavorable conditions systematically experienced due to social hierarchy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of criteria for social disadvantage?

High educational attainment Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about social disadvantage is accurate?

Disadvantage can be absolute or relative based on social contexts. Signup and view all the answers

What is one way social disadvantage manifests?

Restricted participation in societal benefits Signup and view all the answers

How can poverty levels be defined in relation to socioeconomic status?

Relative levels in relation to median income Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between social disadvantage and physical disadvantage?

Social disadvantage is avoidable while physical disadvantage is not. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fundamental principle included in the concept of health equity?

Ensuring equal health opportunities for all. Signup and view all the answers

What framework is recommended for monitoring equity in health research?

The Social Determinants of Health Framework Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of the final report by the Commission on Social Determinants of Health?

Closing the Gap in a Generation Signup and view all the answers

Who are the editors of 'Social Determinants of Health: The Solid Facts'?

Wilkinson and Marmot Signup and view all the answers

Which organization published the recommendations for health equity related to social determinants?

World Health Organization Signup and view all the answers

What concept is associated with Rawls' approach to health equity?

Complex egalitarianism Signup and view all the answers

What is a key focus of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health's efforts?

Addressing social determinants of health Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of health does the Commission on Social Determinants aim to close the gap on?

Birth outcomes and health disparities Signup and view all the answers

What type of inequalities does Mackenbach and Kunst's work focus on?

Socioeconomic inequalities in morbidity and mortality Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the benchmarks mentioned in the document?

Non-discrimination in care reform Signup and view all the answers

Who is cited as the Director/Professor at the Center on Social Disparities in Health?

Paula A. Braveman Signup and view all the answers

Which publication discusses health inequalities and social inequalities in health?

American Journal of Public Health Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of rights is addressed in benchmark No. 20?

Non-discrimination in healthcare Signup and view all the answers

What theoretical concept does Jones CP discuss in his work?

Levels of racism Signup and view all the answers

What type of rights does the International Covenant refer to in the context provided?

Social and cultural rights Signup and view all the answers

What was published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization in 2000?

Health inequalities and social inequalities Signup and view all the answers

Which service is associated with Paula A. Braveman's work?

Office of Disease Prevention Signup and view all the answers

What is a fundamental principle at the core of health equity?

Equal worth of all human beings. Signup and view all the answers

What issue does the lack of explicit criteria in health disparities create?

Ambiguity in defining health disparities. Signup and view all the answers

Which organization convened a subcommittee to define 'health disparity' and 'health equity'?

The Society for Advancing Care. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major goal outlined in Healthy People 2020?

To eliminate health disparities. Signup and view all the answers

What do health disparities highlight regarding population groups?

There are differences in health outcomes amongst groups. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a challenge in defining health equity?

Universal acceptance of all health disparities. Signup and view all the answers

Why is health considered of particular value for individuals?

It is essential for overall quality of life. Signup and view all the answers

What does lack of progress toward reducing disparities suggest?

Need for clearer definitions and strategies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of health inequity as described in the content?

It implies a strong judgment about causality. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is identified as a modifiable circumstance that can lead to health disparities?

Local school quality Signup and view all the answers

Why might pursuing health equity require supporting research?

To guide specific interventions effectively. Signup and view all the answers

What does the presence of a Black United States President indicate in relation to health disparities?

Some Blacks may be highly educated and wealthy. Signup and view all the answers

What must be considered when investing resources in addressing health differences?

The potential harm of interventions. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'health disparity' imply?

There are unequal health outcomes across different groups. Signup and view all the answers

Which is a limitation of the definitions discussed in the content?

They do not establish numerical cutoffs for disadvantage. Signup and view all the answers

What could potentially undermine the credibility of interventions aimed at health equity?

The absence of a solid knowledge base for guidance. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Health Disparities and Health Equity: The Issue Is Justice

Health disparities are systematic, plausibly avoidable differences in health that negatively affect disadvantaged groups.
They may reflect social disadvantage, but causality is not always established.
This definition focuses on health differences linked to social injustice, separating them from other health differences needing attention.
The lack of clear criteria for identifying disparities in Healthy People 2010 and inconsistent definitions used by federal agencies cause ambiguity about different groups.
Definitions of health disparities have sparked debate about whether they should imply injustice or simply reflect differences in health outcomes.
Effective public policies require clear operational definitions for health disparities and health equity to develop objectives, determine priorities, allocate resources, and track progress.

Underlying Values and Principles

Health disparities and health equity are rooted in American values, international ethical, and human rights principles.
Principles include: equal worth of all people; valuing health as essential for individual well-being and societal participation; nondiscrimination and equality; and a just distribution of resources needed for health.
Health differences adversely affecting socially disadvantaged groups are particularly unacceptable because ill health can hinder overcoming disadvantage.
The right to health is an international human right, including access to quality healthcare.
Need should be a key determinant of resource allocation for health.

Health Disparities: Definition and Rationale

Health disparities are systematic, preventable health differences harming disadvantaged groups, potentially reflecting social disadvantage.
Health disparities are not all health differences; they are a specific subset related to social justice issues.
The meaning and measurement of social disadvantage are crucial.
Social disadvantage refers to unfavorable social, economic, or political conditions experienced by groups within a society's hierarchy.
Criteria for social disadvantage can be absolute (like the poverty line) or relative (like a percentage of median income).

Plausibly Avoidable Differences in Health

Health disparities should be addressed with policies and interventions which are plausible to reduce differences.
The focus is whether disparities are potentially avoidable, based on current knowledge and political will.
This criteria helps address the complex issue of causality and avoidability.

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Description

Explore the critical issues surrounding health disparities and health equity in this quiz. Understand the impact of social injustice on health outcomes and the importance of clear definitions for effective public policy. Delve into the debate over how to define and measure these disparities.