Inequities in health in Tamil Nadu: A study of Dharmapuri District

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dc.contributor.authorRavindran, TKS
dc.contributor.authorBalasubramanian, P
dc.contributor.authorMini, GK
dc.date.accessioned2015-01-16T02:37:31Z
dc.date.available2015-01-16T02:37:31Z
dc.date.issued2014-12
dc.description.abstractIn public health, the concept of health inequity is often used to describe inequalities in health that are perceived to be avoidable, unnecessary and unfair [1]. Equity – the absence of particularly unfair differences - is different from equality – the absence of differences in general. The use of equity rather than equality when assessing the nature of differentials in health arises from the recognition that there are bound to be differences in the health status of individuals, and for a number of reasons, many of these are random or biological and hence unavoidable. There is sufficient evidence now from across the globe to show that differences in health status across social groups are not just the result of genetic endowments, life style or differences in access to health services. Many studies have found that socially and economically disadvantaged groups get more sick more often and have less access to health services as compared to their more privileged counterparts even within the same country or region. Most of these differences originate in inequities in access to social and economic resources and living conditions essential for leading a healthy life [2-8]. These differences in health are thus the consequence of denial of opportunities to be healthy, and represent health inequities. The use of the concept of health equity may appear to be in conflict with health equality, as viewed from a human rights perspective, but this is not the case. While health equity is not the same as equality, it may be seen as a commitment to increase the equality of opportunity for health and human development for groups within a society who appear to be suffering a lower health status as a result of social disadvantages or discrimination. Equity, which embodies a dimension of justice, indicates that change should be in the direction that is fair and just even if it means preferential treatment of disadvantaged groups over others. Pursuing equity in health means trying to reduce social disadvantages or their health effects among disadvantaged groups; it thus requires selectively focusing on disadvantaged groups. Yet, health policies and programmes continue to remain focused on disease-specific interventions and outcomes. Inadequate attention paid to addressing social determinants of health has contributed to a widening of the gaps in health status between and across countries [9]. The recently appointed Commission on Social Determinants in Health of the World Health Organization recognizes the need for gathering more evidence, and systematizing and putting to better use available evidence on inequities in health.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://dspace.sctimst.ac.in/handle/123456789/2328
dc.publisherDevelopment narratives: The political economy of Tamil Nadu. New Delhi: Academic Foundation; 2014.en_US
dc.titleInequities in health in Tamil Nadu: A study of Dharmapuri Districten_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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