This is my second post as part of the Cummings Doctoral Studies program. I want to address health disparities and health inequities. But before I start, I want to make sure that people understand that there are always three sides to every story/discussion – your side, my side, and then somewhere in the middle is the truth or compromise. Without the third side, we are not able to move forward to a better place. I am willing not only to put my opinion out, but also to listen and try to understand others’ points of view. If you are not willing to do that, this might not be the blog for you.
First, we need to start with common (or not so common) definitions. This blog is a discussion of equity, not equality. There is an important difference in these words: equality is having equal access to resources, while equity is having resources distributed so that the outcomes of all are equal. Equality is treating everyone the same, and equity treats people so that the outcomes are the same. I am more interested in outcomes than treating people the same (which some might need or want). I love all my children, but I treat them differently as they have different needs, although my goal is for all of them to be self-sufficient and happy adults.
There are many websites, including the four websites provided for this assignment, that discuss different groups’ disparities in the health arena. The thing that I found missing in almost all of them was a discussion as to the responsibility of the client in their health care. Does a provider, the government, and others have a responsibility to reduce the barriers to health care and be culturally trained to provide services to clients? Absolutely. However, the client has a responsibility to the provider and government to educate them and inform them as well. Again, there are three sides to every interaction and all parties have responsibilities in making sure that the outcomes are right for each individual.
Lastly, I want to bring up is that people who have health inequities often belong to more than one group of minority or marginalized status. Many of the websites discuss minority status as focused on a single demographic but do not discuss persons as having plural or multiple designations. The effects of having multiple barriers can have significant long-term effects on health achievements and understanding.
I have and will continue to ask questions of my patients to make sure that I provide client-centered competent care that helps them reach their stated goals.