General Health Equity Resources
Equitable access to health services that are based on need, fairness in the distribution of health care resources, provision of culturally competent care and focus on the most health-disadvantaged groups can significantly reduce disparities in health outcomes among population groups and enhance the well being of underprivileged populations.
Here we provide links to various health equity resources for addiction and mental health professionals, primary care providers, allied professionals, and those involved in program and policy development.
Addressing Health Inequities for Racialized Communities: A Resource Guide. A tool to support the capacity and effectiveness of those who are engaged in health promotion to reduce racialized health inequities. (PDF document).
Advancing Equity in Ontario: Understanding Key Concepts. A discussion paper by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario to advance greater equity in mental health in Ontario and increase understanding of equity issues within the health system.
Are you an Ally? campaign website. Here you will find videos and educational tools to better understand the perspectives and experiences of people who experience discrimination. With these tools you can learn how to interrupt discrimination or harassment when it occurs.
Changing Directions, Changing Lives. The Mental Health Strategy for Canada. The Mental Health Commission of Canada's blueprint for change, released 2012, provides a number of strategies and recommendations to improve mental health and well-being of all people living in Canada.
Closing the Gap in a Generation: Health Equity through Action on the Social Determinants of Health. The World Health Organization (WHO) final report of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health provides analyses and concrete examples of types of action that have proven effective in improving health and health equity.
The concepts and principles of equity and health. Margaret Whitehead (1990). World Health Organization (WHO) document aimed at raising awareness and stimulating discussion.
Equity and Inclusion Lens Handbook 2015. This comprehensive handbook helps staff and management in any organization view their planning and program development and delivery activities to ensure they are inclusive of the full diversity of men and women.
Health Equity Discussion Paper. Bob Garder (2008). This discussion paper written for the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) sets out over-arching directions and a series of concrete recommendations that will reduce inequitable access to healthcare, targets critical barriers for disadvantaged communities, and encourages innovation and system transformation to enhance equity.
Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) Tool. Developed by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term care, HEIA is a decision support tool which walks users through the steps of identifying how a program, policy or similar initiative will impact population groups in different ways.
Health Equity Promising Practices Inventory. Prepared for the Central Local Health Integration network, in 2009, the inventory includes summaries, links to tool kits and references with a focus on nationally and internationally recognized practices.
Let's Talk: Racism and health equity. A resource developed by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health which discusses racism as a critical factor that impacts health.
Monitoring Health Inequality: An essential step for achieving health equity. World Health Organization report (2014). People have vastly different stories to tell about their health depending on their economic status, level of education, place of residence, sex, age and any other potential base for discrimination.
The POWER Study (Project for an Ontario Women's Health Evidence-Based Report) provides a comprehensive report on women's health in Ontario. The complex and expansive work includes a chapter dedicated to Depression, a set of Health Equity Indicators and a Health Equity Road Map for moving forward.
Rio Political Declaration on Social Determinants of Health adopted on 21 October 2011 expresses global political commitment for the implementation of a social determinants of health approach to reduce health inequities.