Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible, and is something we should strive for as a society. We all want to live our healthiest and happiest lives. We all want access to good food, health care, and safe spaces to live. That’s why it’s important to know that health equity is something we can all benefit from. No matter what your background is, you should all commit to ensuring equity in health.
Where we live has more of an impact on our health than we might know. Our zip codes (PDF, 1.8MB) can absolutely determine the differences in how long we live. Where we live determines our access to healthy foods, if our community is safe to live in, or if we have access to reliable transportation. These factors, if not present in a community, can make us sick. Breaking down the barriers to these social determinants would mean less illness being spread around. Simple changes can make individuals in inequitable communities live a longer, healthier life. A simple change like access to fresh fruits and vegetables for all can move us towards a better direction. Some people cannot access grocery stores or supermarkets easily. Having more affordable, accessible options would help many communities stay healthy and lead to better health outcomes. Better opportunities for better paying jobs or easier access to reliable transportation would lead to better health outcomes.
Some communities have seen small strides in these areas, but there is more work to be done. So how can we make all these things happen? Take action! Check out all the root causes to fully understand the obstacles holding us back. You can also do something close to home and help out your own community. Visit the Health Equity program on DE thrives to learn more about how we can all live our best lives.