Health Equity: Conceptual Models, Essential Aspects and the Perspective of Collective Health

Authors

  • Nivaldo Linares-Péreza Universidad del Valle de Guatemala
  • Oliva López-Arellano, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco.

Keywords:

Health Care Disparities, Health Status Disparities, Collective Health

Abstract

This paper analyzes the concept of health equity, drawing on ideas of social justice, of rights and values, and of the social and economic determinants which define living conditions and power relations among social groups. Differing schools of thought concerning health inequality and inequity in health are considered, highlighting contemporary approaches and the conceptual and operational diversity of definitions. We adopt the viewpoint of collective health and outline the elements which are essential to the understanding of inequity: the role of social, economic, political, cultural and ideological determinants on the equity of health outcomes, access to services and quality of care. We conclude that theoretical/conceptual frameworks must be formally spelled out before we can advance our understanding of health equity. The use and interpretation of terminology is made problematic by the abundance of definitions, although there appears to be a consensus on the need to further explore - in a varied, complementary and integrated manner - aspects of health care itself and of its environment. From a collective health perspective, we need to move beyond traditional approaches, a challenge which will enable better understanding of the social dynamics which, when expressed as inequalities in health, constitute social inequity.

Author Biographies

Nivaldo Linares-Péreza, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala

MD, MSc, PhD, Médico. Maestro en Ciencias de la Salud. Doctor en Ciencias en Salud Colectiva. Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. 16 Avenida 10-50, Zona 15, Vista Hermosa III. Anexo CDC/CAP-UVG/CES C.P. 01015. Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala. Telefono (502) 2364-0734 Fax (502) 2364-3228

Oliva López-Arellano,, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco.

MD, MSc PhD Médica. Maestra en Medicina Social. Doctora en Ciencias en Salud Pública. Investigadora y Profesora del Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias en Salud Colectiva Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco. Calzada del Hueso 1100, Col. Villa Quietud, Delegación Coyoacán, C.P. 04960, D.F. México. Teléfono (52-55) 5483-7000

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Themes and Debates