Equity and human rights
Equity and human rights go hand in hand as both aim to provide equal opportunity for health to those who have historically been discriminated against.
Legal issues affect equity, such as accommodation of staff and clients. This is why boards are accountable to human rights accords by setting and implementing objectives and policies that systematically target human rights and equitable health care opportunities (Braveman & Gruskin, 2003).
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified health as a basic human right. This means that everyone should be able to access health services when and where they need it, without experiencing financial barriers. (WHO, 2017).
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects people against discrimination on various grounds and commits different levels of government to:
-
Promoting equal opportunities for the well-being of all people living in Canada
-
Furthering economic development to reduce disparity in opportunities
-
Providing essential public services of reasonable quality to all
Featured resource: Changing Directions, Changing Lives
In recognition of the inequity newcomers experience, Canada’s Mental Health Strategy, Changing Directions, Changing Lives, identifies the mental health of newcomers as a priority in strategic direction number 4 (Mental Health Commission of Canada [MHCC], 2012). The strategy further notes that mental health should be integral to improving overall living conditions and supporting the specific needs of newcomer groups (MHCC, 2012).
Learn more about the legal framework for health equity based on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom.