Health Equity

Whether disadvantaged by social, economic, biological, environmental, genomic, or other factors, many people have encountered systems and policies that have led to disproportionately high rates of health conditions, such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Those most often affected include people from some racial and ethnic groups, those with disabilities, women, and individuals who are LGBTQI+.

To address these disparities, health care providers, public health agencies, policymakers, and community organizations are joining forces to achieve health equity. Health equity focuses on ensuring that every individual has a fair opportunity to attain and maintain their highest level of health. It requires a commitment to studying the many and diverse factors that influence health, including biological, social, and economic drivers, and to taking action to remove obstacles such as inadequate scientific understanding, poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to quality healthcare services. Health equity efforts at YSM emphasize the importance of scientific research in identifying and addressing the root causes of health disparities, ensuring that interventions are evidence-based and effective.

On global, national, and local levels, Yale has emerged at the forefront of efforts to help create and lead a more equitable health care system through research, medical education, and community engagement. With this comprehensive approach, future generations of physicians and physician-scientists will be prepared to identify and implement the changes that are necessary to create an equitable and inclusive health care system.