User:Drgeorgekodickal/sandbox


 * 1) TYPES OF INEQUITIES IN HEALTH

Health inequities are systematic differences in the health status of different population groups.

As mentioned by WHO these inequities have significant social and economic costs both to

individuals and societies. The term health inequality generically refers to differences in the

health of individuals or groups. Any measurable aspect of health that varies across individuals or

according to socially relevant groupings can be called a health inequality. Health inequity, or

health disparity, is a specific type of health inequality that denotes an unjust difference in health.

By one common definition, when health differences are preventable and unnecessary, allowing

them to persist is unjust. In this sense, health inequities are systematic differences in health that

could be avoided by reasonable means.

While the Constitution provided the rights to life, liberty, nutritional standards it did not

explicitly state health as a fundamental right and because of that access to good quality

healthcare was, and continues to be, a privilege, enjoyed by those fulfilling conditions of wealth,

location and social status.

Structural inequities are the personal, interpersonal, institutional, and systemic drivers—such

as, racism, sexism, classism, able-ism, xenophobia, and homophobia—that make those identities

salient to the fair distribution of health opportunities and outcomes. The impact of structural

inequities follows individuals “from womb to tomb.”

The Inequities in health are contributed by a variety of reasons, firstly the economic inequality,

the divide between the rich and poor, it affects spheres of health including the accessibility to

health care services and also the affordability of healthcare services. The LPG reforms of 1991 in

India have only further worsened the situation.

Gender difference is another factor that affects the equity in healthcare, the persistent

patriarchal norms have often limited the economic and social independence of women and

issues like wage gap, pink collar jobs, gender based harassment at work has again given rise to a

scenario were the affordability to healthcare is restricted ,not only that the lack of bodily

integrity has led to issue of accessibility to healthcare. The familial norms of the caregiver have

again contributed to a condition where the women neglect their own health. The LGBTIQIA+

and the transgender community face hurdles in accessing health services due to stigmatisation

and unjust behaviour from the society. This not only affects the physical but also mental health

and well being.

The Geographical divide mainly with respect to Urban- Rural divide or the disparity between

states in India has also contributed to worsening health inequity, while the urban area that

houses only 31% of the population is served by 70% doctors, the 69% rural population is served

by the rest 31% doctors.

There are many social factors that affect equity of health, in India the Scheduled Caste and the

Adivasi population is worse off than the other communities in all facets of health including

maternal and child health. The caste barrier restricts accessibility, affordability and even

acceptability. Instances of Medical professionals refusing to treat a lower caste person is not

unheard in India. The other inequity factor is the Race. The blacks and hispanics in the USA are

much worse in the health indicators as compared to the white population. The social status and

connection of the communities thus have a role to play in these situations. There are cross

cutting effects to, a women from an Upper caste might be well off than a Dalit man in health

indicators because some social disabilities overrides the others.

Education is another factor that affects equity, a better educational level correlated to better

knowledge of good health practices and access to health care facilities. Age is another factor ,

old age may severely restrict a person's accessibility to health services on top of all the

disabilities associated with old age, many of the health policies are not formulated keeping the

geriatric population in mind. In the modern era the e-literacy is a big factor that affects health

inequity, in a modern world that is connected by Internet a lack of knowledge of the IT related

services and lack of a good internet connection in certain areas put a part of a population at a

disadvantage, eg: The scenario in which ordinary people with no e literacy found it hard to

register in the Cowin portal for COVID 19 vaccines.

In conclusion, different aspects of basic health which every individual should be able to avail can

be affected by various socioeconomic and societal factors. Average life expectancy, mortality,

ability to access health services, ability to sustain good health, mental health are regions where

health inequities are clearly visible with respect to different populations. Health programmes

and policies thus should be planned in a way so that there is not just equality but health equity

amongst all spectrums. Inclusion of representatives of people from different communities in the

health policies, spreading out of health services so that it reaches to every nooks and corners,

raising awareness so that there is less hesitancy with regards to medical services in the

community, making health services people friendly according to their specific needs and an

overall improvement in health indicators are some of the ways to reach health equity. For

overall good development of the society, achieving health equity is the best possible way out.