Research, Policy and Action. The Driving Forces of Change.

According to the World Health Organization, “The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.” Unfortunately, this constitution is not always honored by national and global healthcare systems and providers. Oftentimes, unethical determinants justified by fatuous stereotypes and biases are used to place restrictions on one’s quality of health. Health disparities not only endanger the patient’s life but also adversely affects their family dynamic, diminishes economic security, leads to the spread of infectious disease, amongst several other negative repercussions. The eradication of health disparities may seem like an unachievable goal, however, the journey to abate health disparities is in progress. Thus far, the journey involves research, policy, and action.

The conduction of research is paramount in dismantling an oppressive healthcare system as new data can be used to understand, predict, prevent, and control health inequalities. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has been advancing health disparities research in public health through the creation of a peer-reviewed journal, Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD). This collection of articles promote content that elucidates a worldwide understanding of health disparities and determinants linked to disparate health outcomes (Jones, 2018). In this journal, an article entitled, “Pathways Between Childhood/Adolescent Adversity, Adolescent Socioeconomic Status, and Long-term Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Young Adulthood,” examines new insights into the relationship between county-level income inequality, poverty, and obesity prevalence across New York State. Researchers found that higher income inequality was associated with lower obesity rates and that higher percentages of poverty were associated with higher obesity rates (Jones, 2018). Research promotes dialogue among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers worldwide on the integration and application of research findings and practical experience to improve population health.

Collaborative efforts dedicated to the creation and implementation of policies intended to encourage health equity is another crucial step to the eradication of health disparities. However, the efficacy of these policies should be monitored to ensure underprivileged populations receive the benefits they deserve. In the article entitled, “Health Disparities and Health Equity: Concepts and measurement,” the author emphasized the importance of public health surveillance. Disparities should be investigated in all aspects of health care, including the allocation of resources for health care, the actual receipt (utilization) of services, their quality, and how they are financed, particularly with respect to the burden of payment on individuals or households (Braveman, 2006). Health equity can be most effectively guaranteed if practiced by healthcare providers. A Practitioner’s Guide for Advancing Health Equity is a resource for public health practitioners working to advance health equity through chronic disease-focused community health efforts. Although this guide is simply an approach to advancing health equity and does not encompass all of the solutions to fix healthcare, it is a helpful start. All human beings deserve equal access and quality of health care. Research, policies, and action are a great start, however, much more needs to be done to achieve meaningful change.