Equity in health

EQUINET definition of equity in health

In 1998, after reviewing many sources of policy and evidence now documented in the annotated bibliography in equity in health www.equinetafrica.org/bibl/) , EQUINET adopted a working definition of equity in health as

‘Equity in health implies addressing differences in health status that are unnecessary, avoidable and unfair. In southern Africa, these typically relate to disparities across racial groups, rural/urban status, socio-economic status, gender, age and geographical region. EQUINET is primarily concerned with equity motivated interventions that seek to allocate resources preferentially to those with the worst health status (vertical equity). EQUINET seeks to understand and influence the redistribution of social and economic resources for equity oriented interventions, EQUINET also seeks to understand and inform the power and ability people (and social groups) have to make choices over health inputs and their capacity to use these choices towards health.’

A deeper discussion of this definition and the concepts that inform it can be found in EQUINET EQUINET policy papers 2, 7 and 15 on this site at www.equinetafrica.org/bibl/policy.php. Please send comments, debate, input on this definition to us at admin@equinetafrica.org

EQUINET WORK AIMS AT BUILDING NATIONAL PEOPLES' HEALTH SYSTEMS

EQUINET work in 2006-2010 aims to shape, inform and support the development and implementation of policy measures and capacities to revitalise, build and consolidate national health systems. We understand these to be health systems that are based on principles of universality, comprehensiveness and solidarity, centred on a strong state and public sector in health, organised around the active participation and involvement of communities within a democratic system and delivering on the social right to health.

On other areas of the site you can also view information on training , meetings and grants related to this area of EQUINET's work.

You can also search publications produced by EQUINET and our annotated bibliography for documents related to this theme.

PUBLICATIONS  |  OUR WORK  |  ABOUT US  |  HOME