Promoting Health Equity

Health equity is achieved when everyone has an equal opportunity to reach his or her health potential regardless of social position or other characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual identity, or disability. Health inequities are closely linked with social determinants of health — elements of a society's organization and process that affect the overall distribution of disease and health. Examples include education, housing and the built environment, transportation, employment opportunities, the law, and the justice system. The health care and public health systems are also social determinants of health.

Social determinants affect health by influencing risk and protective factors for disease and injury in many different and complex ways. They affect the capacity to earn a good living, live and work in a safe and healthy environment, and effectively use available resources, including health care resources.

Current Community Guide reviews are focused on interventions to reduce health inequities among racial and ethnic minorities and low-income populations.

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