Health Equity refers to the study of the various barriers different populations face when accessing health care, and what their root causes are. By examining these root causes–or social determinants of health-NCSD hopes to address them through all of the work it does, and ensure that these often marginalized groups are able to access the care they need.
Women's History Month Suggested Reading
Please join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of women in the public health, STI/HIV, sexual health, and reproductive justice fields. Here are just a few books by women that are relevant to our sector of public health – we welcome you in joining us as we continue to learn this month, and year-round.
- Strange Bedfellows – Ina Park
- Come As You Are – Emily Nagoski
- Killing the Black Body – Dorothy Roberts
- Reproductive Justice: An introduction – Loretta Ross and Rickie Solinger
- Reproductive Justice: The politics of healthcare for Native American women – Barbara Gurr
- Undivided Rights: Women of color organizing for reproductive justice – Marlene Gerber Fried, Elena Gutiérrez, Loretta Ross, and Jael Silliman
Advancing Health Equity: Addressing the Role of Structural Racism – An issue brief from the National Partnership for Women and Families
Anti-Racism Resources – A thorough compendium of anti-racist resources. Contains links to books, articles, podcasts, films, organizations to follow on social media, and more.
Being Antiracist – An anti-racist resource from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
Black Lives Matter: A Commentary on Racism and Public Health – American Journal of Public Health, August 2015
Institutionalized Racism: A Syllabus – JSTOR has compiled a syllabus to help contextualize, teach, and help students understand the police brutality in the context of institutionalized racism
Police killings and their spillover effects on the mental health of black Americans: a population-based, quasi-experimental study – A study published in The Lancet in June 2018
Resources for Those Seeking to Help Anti-Police Brutality Protesters – From Rolling Stone, a resource list for organizations supporting bail funds, legal aids, and helping who seek justice for victims of police violence.
Talking About Race –The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture offers resources for individuals, parents, and teachers to inform and guide discussions, including videos, role-playing exercises, targeted questions, and more to help people become more comfortable engaging in honest dialog and self-reflection.
When studying and promoting Health Equity, it is important to remember that a “one size fits all” approach does not work, and equality does not necessarily equate to equity. The health disparities faced by one group could be vastly different than those faced by another. Every barrier to care is different and a solution for one community may not adequately address the needs of another. Additionally, one’s identities are often intersectional. This means that one person can experience the health disparities of numerous other groups, depending on who they are. By understanding identity, its intersectionality, and its impact on health, NCSD has committed itself to ensuring that everyone has the ability to receive the care they need, regardless of a person’s race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic standing.
Through on-going efforts to promote and expand its Health Equity work, NCSD has come across numerous helpful and informative resources from various sources. This resource page is a collection of publications, factsheets, and guides from different organizations that provide overviews and insights into the health disparities faced by different populations throughout the country. By accessing this page, NCSD hopes that both patients and care providers can have a better understanding of what Health Equity means in terms of STDs and HIV, and what can be done to overcome the obstacles that prevent numerous communities from receiving the care they need.
Background and Strategies
Here you can find resources related to Health Equity, what it is, why it is important, and what strategies have been successful.
Adolescents
Half of all new STD cases are acquired by people aged 15-24.
Care Providers
It is essential that health care is made safe, effective, patient centered, and equitable, and providers are the ones that can make that happen.
Environmental Determinants
Where people live, learn, work, and play all influence one’s ability to access care.
Gay Men and MSM
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are facing a sexual health crisis.
Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Minorities in the US continue to face significant challenges in accessing care.
Transgender People
Due to a lack of knowledge, social stigma, ignorance, and discrimination, transgender people are often ignored and underserved by health care providers.
Women
Women disproportionately bear the long-term consequences of STDs in the US.
