User:Datadecathlete/sandbox

Elysia (Wiki Ed) - would you mind reviewing the edits to my sandbox below? The strikethrough pieces are the ones I'm recommending be deleted because they either are unsubstantiated claims, they do not add to the overall topic, or they are repetitive. I've underlined anything that I've written, and I've put asterisks for notes on formatting changes. I appreciate any feedback you have!

Health equity arises from access to the social determinants of health, specifically from wealth, power and prestige. Individuals who have consistently been deprived of these three determinants are significantly disadvantaged from health inequities, and face worse health outcomes than those who are able to access certain resources. Equity refers to how resources are distributed, or, allocated among a given population. In addition, the term "equity" is an ethic and human rights principle. Heath inequities stem from a failure in this distribution and not providing each individual with the resources he or she needs. It is important to note that it is not equity to simply provide every individual with the same resources; that would be equality. In order to achieve health equity, resources must be allocated based on an individual need-based principle.

The definition of health does not only mean that an individual does not have a disease or illness. Instead, in order to define health, it is important to include both mental and physical well-being. According the the World Health Organization, "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." The quality of health and how health is distributed among economic and social status in a society can provide insight into the level of development within that society. Health is a basic human right and human need, and all human rights are interconnected. Human rights should be studied and observed together, rather than by separating each one as individuals. Thus, health must be discussed along with all other basic human rights.

Health equity, sometimes also referred to as synonymous with health disparity, is the study and causes of defined as differences in the quality of health and healthcare across different populations. Health equity is different from health equality, as it refers only to the absence of disparities in controllable or remediable aspects of health. It is not possible to work towards complete equality in health, as there are some factors of health that are beyond human influence. Inequity implies some kinds of social injustice. Thus, if one population dies younger than another because of genetic differences, a non-remediable/controllable factor, we tend to say that there is a health inequality. On the other hand, if a population has a lower life expectancy due to lack of access to medications, the situation would be classified as a health inequity. These inequities may include differences in the "presence of disease, health outcomes, or access to health care" between populations with a different race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability  or socioeconomic status. Although it is important to recognize the difference in health equity and equality, having equality in health is essential to begin achieving health equity.

Health equity falls into two major categories: horizontal equity, the equal treatment of individuals or groups in the same circumstances; and vertical equity, the principle that individuals who are unequal should be treated differently according to their level of need. Disparities in the quality of health across populations are well-documented globally in both developed and developing nations. The importance of equitable access to healthcare has been cited as crucial to achieving many of the Millennium Development Goals.

*** Insert new section titled "Determinants of Health Inequities", with subheadings for framework, SES, geography/environment, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and disability According to the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, health outcomes are determined by several domains and levels of influence across the lifespan. Each of these factors interact to influence health outcomes for individuals and groups. Research on health inequities has focused on understanding differences in health outcomes among several minority groups, relative to more advantaged groups, including: people of low socioeconomic status, people in certain geographic locations or environments, people of minority races/ethnicities, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities..

*** Disability sub-section

The United Nations uses the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health to define people with disabilities as individuals "who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others." According to the World Report on Disability, 15% of the global population have a disability.

Research demonstrates that people with disabilities experience significantly poorer health than people without disabilities. These differences in health results from a number of factors, some that are related to underlying genetic conditions ), but many differences in health are avoidable with adequate supports and opportunities.

It is important to note that it is not equity to simply provide every individual with the same resources; that would be equality. In order to achieve health equity, resources must be allocated based on an individual need-based principle. ***Recommend adding the equity vs equality image

*** Add some question in the talk page about whether this accurately represents the various sections summarized in the article. To me, they are:

Of note, this is also how i would reorganize the whole article: determinants of inequities; results of inequities (access to and quality of care), plans for achieve health equity