Health equity
Health equity means all people have the opportunity to reach their fullest health potential and are not deprived from achieving it because of their race, religion, social class, age, socioeconomic status or other socially determined circumstances (National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health, 2013; Whitehead & Dahlgren, 2006).
At the core of health equity are the principles of ethics, human rights and social justice (Braveman et al., 2011; Ministry of Health and Long Term Care [MOHLTC], 2012). “It involves the fair distribution of resources needed for health, fair access to the opportunities available, and fairness in the support offered to people when ill”(Whitehead & Dahlgren, 2006 p.5).
Health inequities are differences in health status or in the distribution of health resources between different population groups, arising from the social conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age (Whitehead & Dahlgren, 2006; Canadian Public Health Association, 2021). These differences in health are “systemic, patterned, unfair, unjust, and actionable, as opposed to random or caused by those who become ill” (Whitehead, 1992).
Uneven access to the social determinants of health are the contributing factors to health inequities among sub-populations. Reducing disparities in health requires an understanding of what causes these disparities along with what immigrants and refugees need to settle, integrate and thrive effectively.
When delivering mental health or settlement programs for newcomers, it is essential that they do not exacerbate inequities. Programs can have a positive or negative effect on the health of vulnerable or marginalized communities.
Health care providers should ask these important questions:
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How does the social service or intervention I am providing affect health equity for immigrants and refugees?
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Will there be differential impacts? Will some clients have different access to care, or overall health outcomes, than others?
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Will other marginalized communities or segments of newcomers experience unintended impacts of this program or intervention?
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Some key considerations for ensuring that programs and policies are equitable include:
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Gather sociodemographic data and characteristics about immigrants and refugees in the region or target population you are serving.
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Recognize that newcomers from the same country and different countries will differ on a number of characteristics, such as religion, ethnic origin, class, gender, socioeconomic status, language proficiency and time in Canada.
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Consult and collaborate with immigrants and refugees to identify the possible impact of a program or intervention for the potentially affected group.
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Deliver messages in the client's preferred language and in a culturally relevant manner for each group.
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Recognize that different groups will prefer different channels. Determine the best way to reach the intended audience. Carefully consider the message and messenger.
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Offer culturally relevant programs and services to increase the satisfaction of users, increase adherence, retention and improved health outcomes.
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Provide interpretation services, which are essential for expanding the reach of services and reducing disparities in health outcomes for individuals who are not proficient in Canada's official languages.