Towards reducing health inequities : RHI discussion paper

The goal of the project was to add to the current knowledge base on health inequities by collectively putting forward recommendations for action for how the health system in BC can reduce health inequities and improve the quality and accessibility of its policies, programs, and services to better meet the needs of underserved populations. [...] Reasons why many of the programs failed to reach higher risk populations included language and cultural barriers, no or low capacity of services to meet the needs of patients with complex health conditions, geographic isolation, and lack of awareness of the social determinants of health and of the equity lens within the health system. [...] Recent literature has noted that the health system has the potential to promote health equity through the design, organization, and management of its programs and services, and public health professionals have emphasized the need for the health system to provide inclusive and responsive care to the populations it serves (Barr, 2009a; Betancourt, 2006; Bowen, 2001; Health Council of Canada, 2010b; [...] In 2004, the Health Disparities Task Group of the Federal / Provincial / Territorial Advisory Committee on Population Health and Security stated that it was time for the health sector to show leadership and action on reducing health disparities, given the evidence showing the potential benefits of doing so not only for the health system, but also in terms of health outcomes and the overall quality [...] While the fragmentation between the health system and community-based organizations was noted to affect the accessibility of the health system, the Working Groups and forum participants further stressed that the health system may be neglecting to draw from a significant amount of expertise and knowledge within the community.