The Concepts and Principles of Equity and Health

TLDR

In 1984 the WHO European Region adopted 38 health targets, placing equity as the first and overarching theme, though its definition varies among stakeholders. The article examines how equity is conceptualized within the WHO Health for All framework. The author analyzes causes of health disparities and discusses equity in health care by addressing access, utilization, and quality. Seven actionable principles are proposed to guide policy design and implementation toward greater health equity.

Abstract

In 1984, the 32 member states of the World Health Organization European Region took a remarkable step forward in agreeing unanimously on 38 targets for a common health policy for the Region. Not only was equity the subject of the first of these targets, but it was also seen as a fundamental theme running right through the policy as a whole. However, equity can mean different things to different people. This article looks at the concepts and principles of equity as understood in the context of the World Health Organization's Health for All policy. After considering the possible causes of the differences in health observed in populations--some of them inevitable and some unnecessary and unfair--the author discusses equity in relation to health care, concentrating on issues of access to care, utilization, and quality. Lastly, seven principles for action are outlined, stemming from these concepts, to be borne in mind when designing or implementing policies, so that greater equity in health and health care can be promoted.