⚖️ What Is Health Equity?
Why Does It Matter?
“Health equity” might sound like a policy buzzword, but its meaning is actually very simple: everyone deserves a fair chance to live a healthy life.
That means not just treating illness, but recognising and addressing the social, economic, and environmental conditions that shape health in the first place. It’s about asking: who gets to be well — and why?
The Difference Between Equality and Equity
Let’s clarify the difference.
Health equality means giving everyone the same resources or treatment.
Health equity means recognising that different people need different support to reach the same level of health.
Think of it like this: if everyone’s given the same size ladder to reach a high shelf, some will get there and others won’t — because the starting ground isn’t level.
Why Health Is About More Than Healthcare
You can have access to a GP and still be unwell if:
You’re living in damp or insecure housing
You’re facing racism or discrimination in health settings
You can’t afford to eat well or heat your home
You don’t feel safe in your community
Health isn’t just about genetics or medicine — it’s about conditions. And until we address those, health inequity will persist.
Who’s Most Affected?
Groups most impacted by health inequities often include:
People from ethnic minority backgrounds
Those living on lower incomes
LGBTQ+ individuals
People with disabilities
Refugees and asylum seekers
These aren’t just vulnerable groups — they’re people facing systemic barriers that limit access to care, resources, and respect within healthcare systems.
What Does Health Equity Look Like in Practice?
It means designing policies and services that:
Prioritise prevention, not just treatment
Are culturally responsive and inclusive
Reach people where they are — in schools, workplaces, and communities
Treat patients as partners, not problems
In short: it’s not about doing more for everyone — it’s about doing better for those who’ve been left behind.
Why I’m Passionate About This Work
As someone trained in both medicine and dentistry, I’ve seen first-hand how social inequality plays out in clinical settings — who shows up, who delays care, and who feels heard.
Whether I’m working through SMILEquity, speaking on health equity, or collaborating with organisations, my aim is always the same: to make health systems more just, more inclusive, and more human.
Final Thoughts
Health equity isn’t just a public health goal — it’s a moral one.
Because how we care for the most marginalised among us speaks volumes about the kind of society we want to build.
Let’s build one where everyone — truly everyone — has the chance to thrive.