In Pursuit of Health Equity in Pediatrics

Moving the needle on health inequities: principles and tactics for effective cross-sector population health networks

“…Analyzing improvements in health outcomes at too high a level (e.g., a whole community or entire patient population) can obscure inequities in access to healthcare and healthcare outcomes related to race, ethnicity, and other demographic characteristics [ 40 ▪ , 41 , 42 ]. In order to explore health inequities across its patient population, Nemours Children's Health developed a patient equity index to disaggregate patient data by demographics (race, ethnicity, and language spoken in patient home).…”

“…&,41,42]. In order to explore health inequities across its patient population, Nemours Children's Health developed a patient equity index to disaggregate patient data by demographics (race, ethnicity, and language spoken in patient home).…”

Addressing population health inequities: investing in the social determinants of health for children and families to advance child health equity

“…The role of healthcare delivery systems in achieving optimal health of the U.S. population remains a central issue. At its core, population health is defined as “the health outcomes of a group of individuals, including the distribution of such outcomes within the group [ 5 ].” The World Health Organization defines health equity as “the absence of unfair, avoidable or remediable differences among groups of people, whether those groups are defined socially, economically, demographically, or geographically or by other dimensions of inequality [ 6 ].” The social determinants of health are integral components of health equity and can create and sustain health disparities through institutional structures and social systems [ 7 ]. Social determinants of health (SDOH) are “the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life [ 8 ].” Racism and discrimination are examples of social determinants of health that function within systems and structures, including healthcare [ 7 , 9 ].…”

Standardizing elements of care in pediatric sickle cell disease centers: The road toward health equity

“…Health equity is “the state in which everyone has the opportunity to attain full health potential and no one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or any other socially defined circumstance.” 3,4 In general, health equity is considered the principle, goal, or process that motivates or underpins efforts to eliminate health disparities. While there has been a general underachievement in reaching health equity in children overall and the knowledge of health equity and health disparities in the pediatric population is much more limited compared to adults, 3,4 the lag in pediatric hematology, and especially in SCD, is even more striking.…”

“…Health equity is “the state in which everyone has the opportunity to attain full health potential and no one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or any other socially defined circumstance.” 3,4 In general, health equity is considered the principle, goal, or process that motivates or underpins efforts to eliminate health disparities. While there has been a general underachievement in reaching health equity in children overall and the knowledge of health equity and health disparities in the pediatric population is much more limited compared to adults, 3,4 the lag in pediatric hematology, and especially in SCD, is even more striking. As the Strategic Plan and Blueprint for Action recently highlighted, 5 while scientific advancements for the molecular understanding and pathophysiology have improved, the development of interventions to improve the quality of life for these individuals, as well as the organization of health care systems to deliver appropriate care, has lagged resulting in comprehensive care being delivered unevenly across geographic areas, institutions, providers.…”