scholarly journals Measurement of Health Disparities, Health Inequities, and Social Determinants of Health to Support the Advancement of Health Equity

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. S33-S42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Penman-Aguilar ◽  
Makram Talih ◽  
David Huang ◽  
Ramal Moonesinghe ◽  
Karen Bouye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Disparities ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Health Inequities ◽  
Determinants Of Health

US college students’ perceptions of social determinants of health, health equity and racial health disparities

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 700-711
Author(s):  
Rebecca Rich ◽  
Angelia Paschal
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Racial Health Disparities ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample

Objective: Healthy equity (HE) implies the highest possible standard of health for all people while giving special attention to the needs of those at greatest risk of poor health, based on social conditions. The social determinants of health (SDH) are conditions within the environment in which people live that shape their opportunity to attain good health. Despite efforts to promote HE and address SDH, there is limited research on college students’ perceptions of these concepts. The purpose of this study was to understand college students’ perceptions, awareness and education on HE and SDH with a specific focus on racial health disparities. Methods: A 28-item questionnaire was distributed electronically to a cross-sectional, campus-wide convenience sample of undergraduates at a large public university in the southeast USA. Results: While many students reported having knowledge or understanding about HE, SDH and related concepts, most had negative attitudes and beliefs about them. Students reported good understanding of these terms, but also believed that health disparities were due to individual behaviours. Conclusion: The contradiction in results show that while college students may think they have a good understanding of HE and SDH, their education on the topics could be improved. Study findings should encourage health education specialists to shift their focus from merely providing information to promoting the application of that knowledge. By so doing, students may be able to bridge the gap between understanding health equity and applying their knowledge in everyday life.

scholarly journals Improving Social Justice in COVID-19 Health Research: Interim Guidelines for Reporting Health Equity in Observational Studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 9357
Author(s):  
Alba Antequera ◽  
Daeria O. Lawson ◽  
Stephen G. Noorduyn ◽  
Omar Dewidar ◽  
Marc Avey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Health Inequities ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Observational Research ◽  
Equity Analysis ◽  
Additional Detail ◽  
Decision Making Processes

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the global imperative to address health inequities. Observational studies are a valuable source of evidence for real-world effects and impacts of implementing COVID-19 policies on the redistribution of inequities. We assembled a diverse global multi-disciplinary team to develop interim guidance for improving transparency in reporting health equity in COVID-19 observational studies. We identified 14 areas in the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) checklist that need additional detail to encourage transparent reporting of health equity. We searched for examples of COVID-19 observational studies that analysed and reported health equity analysis across one or more social determinants of health. We engaged with Indigenous stakeholders and others groups experiencing health inequities to co-produce this guidance and to bring an intersectional lens. Taking health equity and social determinants of health into account contributes to the clinical and epidemiological understanding of the disease, identifying specific needs and supporting decision-making processes. Stakeholders are encouraged to consider using this guidance on observational research to help provide evidence to close the inequitable gaps in health outcomes.

Social determinants of health affecting treatment of pediatric brain tumors

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-165
Author(s):  
Jillian M. Berkman ◽  
Jonathan Dallas ◽  
Jaims Lim ◽  
Ritwik Bhatia ◽  
Amber Gaulden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Brain Tumors ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Cns Tumor ◽  
Initial Symptoms ◽  
Caucasian Patients

OBJECTIVELittle is understood about the role that health disparities play in the treatment and management of brain tumors in children. The purpose of this study was to determine if health disparities impact the timing of initial and follow-up care of patients, as well as overall survival.METHODSThe authors conducted a retrospective study of pediatric patients (< 18 years of age) previously diagnosed with, and initially treated for, a primary CNS tumor between 2005 and 2012 at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Primary outcomes included time from symptom presentation to initial neurosurgery consultation and percentage of missed follow-up visits for ancillary or core services (defined as no-show visits). Core services were defined as healthcare interactions directly involved with CNS tumor management, whereas ancillary services were appointments that might be related to overall care of the patient but not directly focused on treatment of the tumor. Statistical analysis included Pearson’s chi-square test, nonparametric univariable tests, and multivariable linear regression. Statistical significance was set a priori at p < 0.05.RESULTSThe analysis included 198 patients. The median time from symptom onset to initial presentation was 30.0 days. A mean of 7.45% of all core visits were missed. When comparing African American and Caucasian patients, there was no significant difference in age at diagnosis, timing of initial symptoms, or tumor grade. African American patients missed significantly more core visits than Caucasian patients (p = 0.007); this became even more significant when controlling for other factors in the multivariable analysis (p < 0.001). African American patients were more likely to have public insurance, while Caucasian patients were more likely to have private insurance (p = 0.025). When evaluating survival, no health disparities were identified.CONCLUSIONSNo significant health disparities were identified when evaluating the timing of presentation and survival. A racial disparity was noted when evaluating missed follow-up visits. Future work should focus on identifying reasons for differences and whether social determinants of health affect other aspects of treatment.

Health Disparities and the Social Determinants of Health: Ethical and Social Justice Issues

2019 ◽  
pp. 265-276
Author(s):  
Sridhar Venkatapuram
Keyword(s):  
Health Disparities ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Global Justice ◽  
Social Epidemiology ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Early Infant ◽  
The Social

The term health disparities (also called health inequalities) refers to the differences in health outcomes and related events across individuals and social groups. Social determinants of health, meanwhile, refers to certain types of causes of ill health in individuals, including lack of early infant care and stimulation, lack of safe and secure employment, poor housing conditions, discrimination, lack of self-respect, poor personal relationships, low community cohesion, and income inequality. These social determinants stand in contrast to others, such as individual biology, behaviors, and proximate exposures to harmful agents. This chapter presents some of the revolutionary findings of social epidemiology and the science of social determinants of health, and shows how health disparities and social determinants raise profound questions in public health ethics and social/global justice philosophy.

Assessing baccalaureate nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes of social determinants of health after a health equity simulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Quyen Phan ◽  
Naomi Johnson ◽  
JoAnna Hillman ◽  
Daniel Geller ◽  
Laura P. Kimble ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Students ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Baccalaureate Nursing ◽  
Baccalaureate Nursing Students ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Marginalized Populations ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveFor nursing students, competency in population health management involves acquiring knowledge and forming attitudes about the impact of the social determinants of health (SDoH) on health equity. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes about the SDoH and health equity following a focused simulation activity.MethodBaccalaureate nursing students (N=182) participated in a ninety-minute health equity simulation and a post-simulation debrief. Forty-four students (23%) completed a 19-item post-simulation survey.ResultsSixty-four percent of participants reported positive attitude change in working with marginalized populations caused by the SDoH, and 89% reported being knowledgeable about the role of the registered nurse in addressing health equity. Seventy-five percent reported enhanced knowledge of the SDoH through the health equity simulation.ConclusionUsing health equity simulation may be effective in enhancing students’ knowledge, as well as their attitudes in caring for the health of marginalized populations by addressing the SDoH.

scholarly journals Aiming for Health Equity: The role of Public Health Policy and Primary Healthcare Comment on "Universal Health Coverage for Non-Communicable Diseases and Health Equity: Lessons From Australian Primary Healthcare"

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Burström
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases

This commentary refers to the article by Fisher et al on lessons from Australian primary healthcare (PHC), which highlights the role of PHC to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and promote health equity. This commentary discusses important elements and features when aiming for health equity, including going beyond the healthcare system and focusing on the social determinants of health in public health policies, in PHC and in the healthcare system as a whole, to reduce NCDs. A wider biopsychosocial view on health is needed, recognizing the importance of social determinants of health, and inequalities in health. Public funding and universal access to care are important prerequisites, but regulation is needed to ensure equitable access in practice. An example of a PHC reform in Sweden indicates that introducing market solutions in a publicly funded PHC system may not benefit those with greater needs and may reduce the impact of PHC on population health.

Am I My Brother’s Keeper? African American Men’s Health Within the Context of Equity and Policy

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Okechuku Kelechi Enyia ◽  
Yashika J. Watkins ◽  
Quintin Williams
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
African American Men ◽  
Men’S Health ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Critical Examination ◽  
Men's Health

African American men’s health has at times been regarded as irrelevant to the health and well-being of the communities where they are born, grow, live, work, and age. The uniqueness of being male and of African descent calls for a critical examination and deeper understanding of the psycho-socio-historical context in which African American men have lived. There is a critical need for scholarship that better contextualizes African American Male Theory and cultural humility in terms of public health. Furthermore, the focus of much of the social determinants of health and health equity policy literature has been on advocacy, but few researchers have examined why health-related public policies have not been adopted and implemented from a political and theoretical policy analysis perspective. The purpose of this article will be to examine African American men’s health within the context of social determinants of health status, health behavior, and health inequalities—elucidating policy implications for system change and providing recommendations from the vantage point of health equity.

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