Final answer:
Health equity refers to the absence of remedial differences among groups of people, whether those groups are defined socially, economically, demographically, or geographically. It aims to eliminate health disparities based on factors such as gender, sexual identity, age, disability, socioeconomic status, and geographic location.
Step-by-step explanation:
Health equity refers to the absence of remedial differences among groups of people, whether those groups are defined socially, economically, demographically, or geographically. It is the goal of achieving fairness and eliminating health disparities based on factors such as gender, sexual identity, age, disability, socioeconomic status, and/or geographic location.
For example, in the United States, there are disparities in health outcomes and healthcare between different racial and ethnic groups. African American women, for instance, have higher rates of emergency room visits and unmet healthcare needs compared to other groups.
Similarly, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth often face poor quality of care due to stigma and lack of understanding. Health equity strives to address these disparities and ensure equal access to healthcare for everyone.