Health equity concept	How to incorporate the concept
Long-standing systemic social and health inequities have put some population groups at increased risk of getting sick, having overall poor health, and having worse outcomes when they do get sick.	• Understand how policies, programs, practices, services, and environments that support health can reduce health inequity (16). • Avoid implying that a person, community, or population is responsible for increased risk of adverse outcomes. • Avoid perpetuating health inequities in communication by considering how racism (8) and other systems of power differentially advantage people.
Diversity exists within and across communities and can be defined by several factors.	• Understand that there is diversity within communities and members of population groups are not all the same in their health and living circumstances. • Limit use of the terms minority and minorities, in general. Refer to groups with an appropriate and relevant level of specificity.
Individuals and communities vary in history and lived experiences, cultural traditions, religious beliefs and practices, social norms, available resources, and many other factors.	• Seek to understand the intended audience to avoid misinformation, errors, confusion, or the loss of credibility. • Adjust recommendations that might not make sense for specific situations, places, communities, or cultures. • Understand that not everyone has access to medical and mental health care or services — including barriers such as lack of insurance, transportation, childcare, and paid work leave — and trust in medical professionals may be limited. • Understand that people may not have full control over their work environment or conditions, and that an employer’s responsibility to provide certain resources or allow certain conditions for workers may vary.
Interconnected structures and systems can create inequality among groups based on social categories (17).	• Be cautious in generalizing about a community. Consider how people’s social identities overlap to better understand, interpret, and communicate about health. • Consider multifaceted approaches to address overlapping connections of individuals and groups with structures and systems that create social and health inequities as well as to leverage strengths and assets.
Achieving health equity requires focused and ongoing societal efforts to address historical and contemporary injustices; overcome economic, social, and other obstacles to the best health and health care; and eliminate preventable health disparities (9).	• Consider that communicating effectively and equitably — to inform and educate about health, factors that influence it, and how to improve it — is an essential public health service (1). • Intentionally consider the potential positive and negative impacts of proposed messages, including how messages could help reduce or contribute to inequities. • Address and refer to people and groups inclusively, respectfully, and accurately. Avoid dehumanizing language.