Equity is defined as "a situation where EVERYONE is treated fairly and equally." So combining the words Health and Equity is extremely ambitious even in Canada; yet the fact that we've even decided to use those two words together speaks volumes about our very Canadian values when it comes to healthcare on the whole.
Health Equity challenges us to put a microscope on the systemic issues that cause some people to be ignored or to fall through the proverbial cracks. It challenges us to focus on the needs of EACH client /patient first and to forget demeaning and dehumanizing labels such complex, chronic, gay, illegal, addict ... this list in itself can be daunting. It calls upon us to forget the why, how, when and where and focus first and foremost on the who. Health Equity does not measure a persons’ worth; rather it imparts an intrinsic value to their ability to access comprehensive primary health care whenever it is needed. It demands us to believe that Every One Matters.
That is big! That is not easy! However, unless we name the goal we cannot begin working toward it.
Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay
