Posted on 15 January, 2025

The terms health equity and health equality are often used interchangeably. However, they have distinct meanings and implications, especially in public health. As advocates for underserved communities, we must ensure that these concepts are well understood and applied effectively. By recognizing the difference, we can develop strategies that create meaningful change and reduce health disparities.

What Is Health Equality?

Health equality refers to giving everyone the same resources, opportunities, and support to achieve good health. The underlying assumption is that if everyone receives the same treatment, they will experience the same outcomes. However, this approach does not account for historical disadvantages, socioeconomic differences, or structural barriers that impact individuals and communities differently.

For example, imagine distributing the same number of flu vaccines to two different neighborhoods—one with easy access to healthcare facilities and another with a severe shortage of clinics. Even though the vaccine distribution is equal, the impact is not the same. Those in the underserved area may struggle to access vaccination sites, leading to lower immunization rates despite the equal supply.

While equality is an essential principle, it does not always lead to fair health outcomes. That’s where health equity comes into play.

What Is Health Equity?

Health equity means ensuring that every individual has access to the resources and opportunities necessary to achieve their highest level of health—even if that means providing different levels of support based on need. This approach recognizes that not all communities start from the same place due to historical oppression, economic disparities, and social determinants of health.

A simple way to understand equity is by thinking of it as leveling the playing field. Instead of giving everyone the same resources, it focuses on giving individuals what they specifically need to overcome challenges.

For instance, in a rural area with limited healthcare providers, health equity might involve funding mobile clinics or offering telehealth services to ensure residents receive adequate medical care. This targeted intervention helps bridge gaps in access, leading to better health outcomes for marginalized populations.

Why Health Equity Matters More Than Equality

If health policies focused only on equality, existing disparities would persist, and vulnerable populations would continue to struggle. Equity ensures that systemic issues are addressed and that communities in need receive the resources required for optimal health.

Consider maternal health. Black women in the U.S. are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. An equality-based approach would give all pregnant women the same prenatal care options. However, an equity-focused strategy would target specific interventions—such as providing culturally competent healthcare, increasing access to midwives, and addressing implicit bias in the medical system—to reduce these disparities.

Health equity doesn’t just benefit marginalized communities—it strengthens entire healthcare systems. When fewer people face preventable diseases, hospital burdens decrease, economic productivity rises, and public health improves overall.

Barriers to Achieving Health Equity

Several factors prevent equitable healthcare access. Understanding these barriers is crucial to implementing solutions.

1. Social Determinants of Health

Social determinants—such as income, education, housing stability, and food security—play a significant role in health outcomes. Someone with a low income may struggle to afford medical visits or prescriptions, even if healthcare facilities exist nearby.

2. Systemic Racism and Discrimination

Communities of color often face bias in medical treatment, lack of representation in healthcare leadership, and reduced access to preventive care. These issues create long-term health disparities that persist across generations.

3. Geographic Barriers

Many rural and underserved urban communities lack hospitals, specialized care, and mental health resources. Traveling long distances for medical appointments becomes a challenge, making preventive care inaccessible for many.

4. Lack of Culturally Competent Care

Healthcare systems often fail to accommodate language barriers, cultural health practices, and community-specific concerns. When medical professionals lack cultural competency, patients may feel unheard or misunderstood, leading to distrust and lower healthcare engagement.

How Can We Promote Health Equity?

Achieving health equity requires systematic change, community engagement, and targeted policy improvements. Here’s how organizations, institutions, and individuals can contribute to this goal.

1. Invest in Community-Based Healthcare Programs

Mobile clinics, telehealth services, and school-based health centers can increase accessibility in underserved areas. Expanding programs like community health workers can also build trust and provide personalized support to those in need.

2. Address Structural Racism in Healthcare

Hospitals and medical institutions must implement anti-racism training, diverse hiring practices, and culturally competent healthcare models. Patients should feel safe and respected in medical environments.

3. Expand Preventive Health Education

Public health education should focus on early detection, chronic disease prevention, and mental health awareness. By providing accessible, multilingual resources, we can empower communities to take charge of their health.

4. Advocate for Policy Change

Advocating for affordable healthcare, better insurance coverage, and policies that address social determinants of health can significantly reduce disparities. Policymakers must prioritize funding for equitable health initiatives.

5. Strengthen Public Health Networks

Collaboration between nonprofits, universities, healthcare providers, and policymakers can amplify efforts and create sustainable change. Public health professionals should engage with organizations that support training, mentorship, and career development in health equity.

The Role of HBCUs in Advancing Health Equity

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play a vital role in training the next generation of public health leaders. By offering specialized programs, research opportunities, and hands-on internships, HBCUs ensure that underrepresented students are prepared to address racial and socioeconomic health disparities.

Our organization, HBCU Collaborative Network, was created to support students and professionals in public health, mental health, and behavioral health. Through paid internships, networking meetings, and educational training, we empower students to lead initiatives that promote health equity.

As a nonprofit, we recognize that health disparities will not disappear overnight. However, by providing opportunities for students at HBCUs and minority-serving institutions, we are laying the groundwork for long-term change. Our network is open to professionals, students, and experts who are committed to improving public health and addressing systemic challenges.

Health equality provides everyone with the same opportunities, but health equity ensures that each person gets what they need to thrive. By addressing systemic disparities, social determinants of health, and community needs, we can create a world where good health is not determined by race, income, or location.

At HBCU Collaborative Network, we are dedicated to advancing public health awareness, education, and leadership development. Whether you are a student looking for career opportunities, a professional seeking collaboration, or an advocate passionate about health equity, we invite you to be part of this movement.

Contact us today at [email protected] to learn how you can get involved. Let’s work together to eliminate health disparities and build stronger, healthier communities.