Health Equality vs. Health Equity

Greeting Stewards, 

Here at PAHS, we believe that in order to reach a healthcare system that is suitable for everyone and anyone, we must reduce health disparities to reach health equity. But what exactly is health equity, and how does it differ from health equality?

Although the terms health equity and health equality are similar, there is a major difference between health equity and health equality. These two terms cannot be used interchangeably. 

Health equality when everyone is given the same opportunity and resources in order to succeed in our healthcare system. 

Health equity, however, addresses the social impacts. It acknowledges that equal opportunity will not equate to equal health outcomes as some groups need more help than others.

Please check out the image above from Johns Hopkins Medicine that gives us a visual explanation of the difference between health equality and health equity. We hope you find this useful information!

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Warmly, 

Asheanna