What is Health Equity?
Some people are healthier than others. When differences in health are because of reasons that are systemic, patterned, unfair,
unjust and actionable, those differences are called health inequities1. Equity involves trying to understand what populations and
communities need to enjoy full, healthy lives. In contrast, equality aims to ensure that everyone gets the same things. In other
words, programs and services based on the concept of equality assume that everyone has the same health status and needs, while
equity focused initiatives take into consideration that certain groups face greater social, economic and environmental barriers
that result in poor health.
What is Health Equity Impact Assessment?
HEIA seeks to identify and remove those barriers. It is an easy-to-use-tool developed by the Ministry of Health and Long Term
Care as a way for organizations to address health inequities by considering the needs of specific populations. Conducting an
HEIA on a program, policy, service or initiative can help organizations identify potential unintended impacts and identify
strategies to maximize the positive and minimize the negative impacts2.
Should I conduct a HEIA?
If your program, policy, initiative or service could have unintended impacts on certain populations or communities, or could
affect some populations more than others, you should conduct an HEIA. Put simply, conducting an HEIA will help you to identify if there are populations whose needs are not being met by your program, why that is, and what you can do about it.
How can I use a HEIA?
HEIA is a simple and flexible process that can easily be adapted, modified, or incorporated into your existing processes. There are many different methods you can use to conduct an HEIA, and many different ways to use the process/results:
- Start the conversation: HEIA can provide you with an opportunity to start the conversation about health equity within your organization, your sector and the people you serve.
- Integrate: You may not need to conduct a HEIA as a separate process. Consider incorporating some of HEIA's steps into your program development processes and other existing procedures.
- Build Relationships: As a result of a HEIA, you may identify specific populations or sector to strengthen your relationships with. HEIA can provide an opportunity to develop partnerships with others who are looking to promote equity. Involving people with lived experience and groups who experience inequities to be part of your HEIA can also help to build relationships, trust and opportunities and action.
- Policy and Advocacy: HEIA can provide framework to analyze policies create position papers/briefing documents and make recommendations to reduce inequities.
References
1. Margaret Whitehead and Goran Dahlgren. Concepts and principles for tackling social inequities in health: Levelling up Part 1. WHO Collaborating Centre
for Policy Research on Social Determinants of Health, 2006.
2. Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Health Equity Impact Assessment Workbook, 2012
