Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Public Health Creating a Healthier Society by Natalie Burke
President & CEO, Director Culture of Health Leaders Program for CommonHealth ACTION
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ublic health plays a vital role in ensuring the well-being of communities, addressing health inequities, and promoting population health. However, for public health leaders, initiatives, and organizations to be truly effective, it is essential to incorporate principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). These three pillars are critical for building a healthier society in which all people have fair opportunities to achieve their best possible health. When EDI is present and active, health equity becomes possible.
Examining Equity Health equity, as a fundamental principle in public health, seeks to ensure that everyone has a fair chance to achieve optimal health. Too often, people balk at the concept of fairness believing it to be subjective and immeasurable. In this instance, “fair” is best described as whatever is necessary to get a person, family, population, or community to the best possible outcome. It acknowledges that individuals have different health potential, needs, and experiences that must be addressed to create equal opportunities for health. To that end, public health leaders must recognize and address social determinants of health, such as income, education, employment, transportation, structural racism, and housing, which all play important roles in the production of health outcomes. By identifying these underlying factors, public health initiatives can be tailored to meet the unique needs of marginalized communities and minoritized populations while reducing health inequities.
Understanding the Importance (and Differences) of Diversity and Inclusion Diversity and inclusion are essential for building strong and effective public health systems. Diversity refers to the presence of a wide range of individuals from different identities, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation,
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socioeconomic status, and more. Inclusion, on the other hand, refers to creating an environment in which everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and lived experiences. Think of inclusion as the muscle of diversity—many different types of people, engaged meaningfully. A diverse public health workforce is crucial for addressing health inequities and meeting the needs of diverse populations. When public health professionals come from various backgrounds, they bring different perspectives, insights, and solutions to the table. This diversity of thought and experience leads to more impactful policies, programs, and practices that can better serve the entire population— particularly those with the greatest health needs. In addition, inclusion ensures that all individuals have opportunities to participate in decision-making processes and shape public health policies. This approach engages levers of power within organizations and communities— power being the ability to define reality for yourself or others. By including the empowered voices of marginalized and minoritized people, public health initiatives become more responsive to their needs, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes and the elimination of health inequities.
Putting EDI into Action for the Greater Good Together, equity, diversity, and inclusion are crucial for public health leaders, the workforce, and outcomes for several reasons: 1.
Health Inequities. EDI helps to ensure that public health initiatives are designed to reach and serve all communities, especially those that have historically faced barriers to accessing healthcare and that are experiencing poorer health outcomes. By prioritizing EDI, public health leaders and the workforce can work towards achieving health equity.
