In the realm of healthcare, equity is a fundamental aspect that paves the way for ensuring fair and just medical services to all individuals. The term ‘equity’ acknowledges the varying situations from person to person, and resources are distributed in a manner such that everyone is given equal opportunity relative to their unique circumstances. Equity and equality are not synonymous – equality refers to everyone in a population being allocated exactly the same resources (Milken Institute School of Public Health). While this may seem fair, it does not recognize the discrepancies among each individual and therefore does not address all individuals’ needs accordingly. Consider the image at the bottom of this page that accurately differentiates equality and equity. 

For example, consider a member of a wealthier country and a member of an impoverished country who both tested positive for tuberculosis. If both patients are given the same treatment pathway in their respective countries, we would still likely see an unequal outcome. The wealthier country – say the United States – has established a health system that is readily able to treat this individual, with all the tools at hand, including necessary drugs, medical interventions, and trained professionals, and the patient would likely recover to full health in a timely manner. However, it is likely that the patient in an impoverished country would not face the same outcome. In under-resourced countries, there is a vast lack of funding needed to access drugs, proper technology, and trained professionals – as well as local adequate medical clinics. Even if both of these patients are set up with the same recovery path, it would be much more difficult for the patient in the impoverished country to receive the necessary treatment. In order to address health equity, it is crucial that all determinants of health are considered, including but not limited to: economic stability, community, transportation, air/water quality, food, education, etc.

Achieving equity in terms of public health is a multifaceted issue. Emerging as a result of colonialism and structural racism, inequity is still being felt in many countries worldwide. Shortly after the formation of the World Bank, neoliberalism was born. Neoliberalism is a political ideology that states the government should stay away from controlling the economy. As a result of this, limitations were placed on institutions such as the World Bank and their ability to assist in funding underprivileged countries – further promoting inequity (Mukherjee). 

As the new Global and Community Health program at UCSC emerges, students such as myself are learning in depth the shortcomings of wealthy nations’ financial decisions and their impact on global health. As the new generation of healthcare providers emerge, it is important that they are well educated on not only the various aspects that make up a persons’ well being, but the history behind these determinants and why they came to be. With this notion, we can shift the focus from ‘equality’ to a more medically relevant term: equity. This practice applies the analysis of intersectionality to promoting social justice and taking legislative steps toward achieving optimal health outcomes on a global scale.