Inequities In Provision In Healthcare Flashcards
Define health inequity
Unfair, avoidable differences in health or healthcare due to poor governance, corruption or cultural exclusion
Define health inequality
Uneven distribution of health/healthcare as a result of genetic or other factors or a lack of resources
What is horizontal inequity
People with same needs don’t have access to same services (unequal treatment of equals)
What is vertical inequity
People with greater needs are not provided greater resources to meet those needs
Why should health inequities be addressed>
Social justice & fairness
Equitable access to healthcare can reduce health inequalities
Not addressing inequities may worsen inequalities
Equality act 2010-public sector duty
Improves patient QOL
Who experiences health inequity
Primary care
LGBT- lower satisfaction
Asylum seekers, homeless & travellers - difficult access
Low income- less screening
Who experiences health inequity
Secondary care
SE deprived, worse EOLC+ poorer cancer outcomes
Disabled-high no. Avoidable deaths
Ethnic minorities-cardiac + DM care
Causes of inequitable access can be due to…
Supply/provider:
-government, nhs, ccgs, e.g. lack of funding, variable quality, service issues, clinical biases\
Demand/users:
- patients
- health literacy, cultural attitudes/norms, geographical/logistical issues, physical barriers
How can health inequities be addressed and reduced?
- address attitudinal and knowledge bias of clinicians
- reduce variation in quality of services
- reduce costs to individuals and consider indirect costs e.g. missed work, prescriptions, childcare costs, parking costs
- ensure information in health service availability is accessible for all
- consider preferences for health service provision e.g. outside of 9-5
- consider attitudes and norms e.g. female wanting female HCP
