Health Equity Resources

MC3 was born out of advocacy for women and children’s mental health after recognizing the disparity between care needed and care provided. Though much progress has been made on these issues, there is still so much work to be done within health care and beyond to close these gaps in care and achieve health equity for all.

As health care professionals and providers for children and parents, we are too often aware of the oppressive social determinants of health that lead to unjust, inequitable outcomes. These determinants could include a patient’s race or ethnicity, gender, education, income, sexual orientation, mental health, or physical and cognitive abilities. As part of MC3’s mission, we are determined to continuously disrupt and dismantle these systems of inequity and ensure quality mental health care is accessible to all those in need.

Learn more about health equity topics and how to get involved using our resources below.

Read our Statement of Solidarity 2020

FAQ: What is health equity? How is it different from equality?

Health equity means all people have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible, regardless of their location, demographic, or background. Using this perspective, each individuals’ circumstances are taken into account to ensure all barriers to health care are eliminated. This is different from equality, which provides all individuals with the same resources and opportunities. This approach may be sufficient for some, but ignores the fact that not all individuals come from the same circumstance or require the same level of support.

FAQ: How do racism and other disparities threaten health equity?

In many ways, disparities such as an individual’s race, gender, or income can result in negative health impacts. These disparities can make it difficult or even impossible for some individuals to access care. For example, a patient without proper transportation may not be able to complete a wellness check-up because they cannot physically get to the appointment. By widening access to this care, such as through mobile or virtual visits, health equity can be achieved. In most cases, especially when it comes to racial disparities, it is necessary to reevaluate and restructure entire policies and practices in order to eliminate all sources of inequity and barriers to care.

FAQ: Can health inequities impact mental health too?

The same disparities that contribute to physical health equity also contribute to mental health equity. Much like how these disparities — such as race, gender, and income — can make an individual more likely to develop physical conditions like heart disease or diabetes, they also can increase an individual’s likelihood to develop behavioral health disorders like anxiety or substance use disorder. In some cases this impact on mental health can be even greater due to the stigma of such illnesses, which can further adversely impact health outcomes by limiting a person’s ability to gain employment, secure stable housing, or access health care.

FAQ: How can certain identities intersect and compound disparities that individuals experience in health care?

It is common for one individual to experience multiple disparities in their access to proper care, resulting in compounded disparities or multiple obstacles to achieving health equity. This is referred to as intersectionality. For example, a minoritized child coming from a low income family may live in a neighborhood with poor housing quality, near toxin-producing facilities, with less access to health services. These compounding circumstances can have an exponential impact on the child’s health over their lifetime. As our population continues to become more diverse, intersectionality becomes an even more critical factor in achieving health equity.

FAQ: Why are some health inequities considered to be systemic?

In the U.S., countless exclusionary policies and systems have contributed to racial and ethnic disparities in health today. These policies and systems generally target minorities, immigrants, and those impacted by generational poverty. There are many systemic determinants of health at play for these groups, including challenges finding employment, lower income offerings, lack of insurance coverage without employment, lack of access to quality care in certain regions, literacy and language barriers, and systems in place to block home ownership, to name a few. Much like intersectionality, these policies and systems can compound to have an exponential impact on individuals’ health over time.

FAQ: How can health inequities be eliminated?

The road toward health equity begins by recognizing biases and inequities exist. By ignoring or diminishing their impact, it only allows these inequities to continue. In health care settings, workforce training can be beneficial to help faculty and staff better understand and advance equity at all levels. Changing policies to reflect equitable health practices can foster large-scale improvements toward meeting the health needs of all populations. To get additional insight and perspective, consider partnering with local community groups and resources to gain a comprehensive understanding of the needs within your region.

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