Health Disparities

Question 1

What is a health disparity?

Answer 1

also called a health inequality. Health differences which are unnecessary and avoidable, but in addition are considered unfair and unjust (Margaret Whitehead, 1992).
Ex: disparities in low birth rate by race

Question 2

What is health equity?

Answer 2

Social justice w/ respect to health. Striving to equalize opportunities to be healthy. How well a society is doing amongst groups, etc. the value underlying a commitment to reduce and ultimately eliminate disparities in health and in its determinants

Question 3

Are health disparities the same as health differences?

Answer 3

No, b/c health disparities is just inequality among people in regards to if they get healthcare opportunities or not. Health differences just refer to a higher burden of illness, injury, disability, or mortality experienced by 1 group compared to another group.
Ex: worse health among older adults than young teens
Ex: higher rate of arm injuries among tennis players than regular people

Question 4

What is a healthcare disparity?

Answer 4

refers to differences between groups in health insurance coverage, access to and use of care, and quality of care

• insurance coverage
• vaccination rates
• screening rates
• receiving care/treatment when diagnosed
• quality of care received

Question 5

Fundamental Cause Theory?

Answer 5

Explains the persistence of health disparities by social factors. Greater attention must be paid to social conditions. Social factors (race, finance, etc.) are ‘fundamental causes’ of disease