Health equity can be defined at "equity in health related to ethical and social justice issues in that is seeks to reduce health inequities between social groups €“ usually groups that have more and less privilege in society." (Horn, 2004)
Horn I, Beal A. Child Health Disparities: Framing a Research Agenda, Ambulatory Pediatrics 2004;
4:269-275.
Although overweight has increased for all children and adolescents over time, data indicate disparities exist among racial/ethnic groups.
- Non-Hispanic black girls and Mexican American girls are more likely to have high BMI for age than non-Hispanic white girls. 1
- Among boys, Mexican Americans are more likely to have high BMI for age than non-Hispanic white boys.1
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1 Ogden C, et al. "High Body Mass Index for Age Among US Children and Adolescents, 2003-2006." Journal of the American Medical Association 2008, vol. 299, pp. 2401-2405.
In striving for healthy active living it is important to consider health disparities. The links below are provided to assist you in your efforts.
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American Academy of Pediatrics Health Disparities/Health Equity Action Plan
Health Care Equity   for all children is represented on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Strategic Framework as one of the universal principles reflective of the mission, vision, and core values of the organization. In order to address issues of health equity for children, it is necessary to look at the health disparities that exist in the pediatric population and the system barriers in the current system that prevent equitable, quality care. The Academy defines health disparities in the broadest terms including disparities related to race/ethnicity, cultural beliefs, socioeconomic status, educational status, geographic location, and family and health status. An action plan is outlined in this document.
American Public Health Association (APHA) Health Disparities Database
The American Public Health Association (APHA) has developed a database which contains projects and interventions provided by members of the public health community. The database allows you to search for projects and interventions to health disparity challenges in your communities.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Minority Health Determines the Health of the Nation
The Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (OMHD) aims to accelerate CDC's health impact in the U.S population and to eliminate health disparities for vulnerable populations as defined by race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, geography, gender, age, disability status, risk status related to sex and gender, and among other populations identified to be at-risk for health disparities.
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Healthy People 2010 is designed to achieve two overarching goals: 1) Increase quality and years of healthy life; 2) Eliminate health disparities. Healthy People 2010 challenges individuals, communities, and professionals, indeed all of us to take specific steps to ensure that good health, as well as long life, are enjoyed by all.
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Health Disparities and Community Health, The Prevention Institute
Low-income populations and communities of color disproportionately experience worse health and safety outcomes across a broad spectrum of illnesses, injuries, and treatments. Disparities in health among some income, racial, and ethnic groups in the US are significant and, by many measures, expanding. When elements of racism, poverty, and problematic community environments converge, greater overall threats to health develop. The most powerful factors shaping both health and health disparities are social and economic determinants, or the community conditions for health.
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Reducing Health Disparities Through a Focus on Communities
The report presents evidence from research and practice of the key role that neighborhood factors play in determining health outcomes and explores the relationship between the communities in which people live and their health."PolicyLink, November 2002.
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