Medical Equity: The Eventual Goal of Health Care
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Published
Apr 30, 2024
Abstract
Medical equity is the fundamental principle that all individuals should have equal access to high-quality healthcare services, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, or geographic location. Achieving medical equity is essential for improving health outcomes and reducing disparities in healthcare delivery. This goal requires addressing systemic barriers such as discrimination, stigma, and lack of access to resources that prevent marginalized populations from receiving appropriate care. Implementing policies and programs that promote medical equity will help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. By prioritizing equity in healthcare delivery, we can work towards creating a more just and inclusive society where every individual has the opportunity to achieve optimal health and well-being.
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Keywords
Medical Equity, Contributors, Barriers, Strategies, Policies
References
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5. Braveman PA, Cubbin C, Egerter S, Williams DR, Pamuk E. Socioeconomic disparities in health in the United States: What the patterns tell us. Am J Public Health 2010; 100 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S186-S196. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2009.166082
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7. Cameron KA, Song J, Manheim LM, Dunlop DD. Gender disparities in health and healthcare use among older adults. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2010; 19(9):1643-1650. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2009.1701
8. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Future Health Care Workforce for Older Americans. Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2008. 2, Health Status and Health Care Service Utilization. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK215400/
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11. Gréaux M, Moro MF, Kamenov K, Russell AM, Barrett D, Cieza A. Health equity for persons with disabilities: A global scoping review on barriers and interventions in healthcare services. Int J Equity Health 2023; 22(1):236. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-023-02035-w
12. Westwood S. Religious-based negative attitudes towards LGBTQ people among healthcare, social care and social work students and professionals: A review of the international literature. Health Soc Care Community 2022; 30(5):e1449-e1470. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13812
13. Kirkbride JB, Anglin DM, Colman I, Dykxhoorn J, Jones PB, Patalay P, Pitman A, Soneson E, Steare T, Wright T, Griffiths SL. The social determinants of mental health and disorder: evidence, prevention and recommendations. World Psychiatry 2024; 23(1):58-90. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21160
14. Ezeonwu MC. Specialty-care access for community health clinic patients: Processes and barriers. J Multidiscip Healthc 2018; 11:109-119. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S152594
15. Williams DR, Lawrence JA, Davis BA. Racism and health: Evidence and needed research. Annu Rev Public Health 2019; 40:105-125. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040218-043750
16. Coughlin SS, Vernon M, Hatzigeorgiou C, George V. Health literacy, social determinants of health, and disease prevention and control. J Environ Health Sci 2020; 6(1):3061
17. Pampel FC, Krueger PM, Denney JT. Socioeconomic disparities in health behaviors. Annu Rev Sociol 2010; 36:349-370. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.012809
18. Gee GC, Payne-Sturges DC. Environmental health disparities: A framework integrating psychosocial and environmental concepts. Environ Health Perspect 2004; 112(17):1645-1653. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.7074
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How to Cite
Wang, W., Will, D., & Wang, F. (2024). Medical Equity: The Eventual Goal of Health Care. Science Insights, 44(4), 1341–1352. https://doi.org/10.15354/si.24.re969
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