Term: Health Equity

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2010-10-21

Definition:

Health equity suggests that all people can reach their full health potential and should not be disadvantaged from attaining it because of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, social class, socioeconomic status, or other socially determined circumstance (Dahlgren & Whitehead, 2006).

Related terms 

• Health Inequality
• Health Inequity

References 

• Dahlgren G, Whitehead M. Levelling up (part2): A discussion paper on European strategies for tackling social inequalities in health. 2006. Available from: www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/103824/E89384.pdf. [Abstract] (View)

Term used in 

• Martens P, Brownell M, Au W, MacWiliam L, Prior H, Schultz J, Guenette W, Elliott L, Buchan S, Anderson M, Caetano P, Metge C, Santos R, Serwonka K. Health Inequities in Manitoba: Is the Socioeconomic Gap in Health Widening or Narrowing Over Time? Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2010. [Report] [Summary] [Updates and Errata] [Additional Materials] (View)