Understanding and Promoting Nutrition and Health Equity

The COVID-19 global pandemic has brought health disparities to the front stage. Health disparities is defined by the Center for disease Control and Prevention as preventable differences in disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health. Unfortunately, Black, Latino, and Native American populations are more likely to be diagnosed with the novel virus and three times more likely to die when diagnosed with the novel virus when compared to white Americans. These disproportionate rates of infection and death bring the question of cause into discussion. Why are the statistics like this? What can we do to change them?

One of the first explanations for health disparities are social determinants of health. This is the direct impact of the conditions of the environment where people live, learn, and work on their health. Social determinants haven’t shown to influence disease risk more than health behaviors such as dietary habits, physical activity, and smoking. Another explanation for the health disparities we currently see is a combination of both structural racism and discriminatory practices from the past. Although discriminatory bank practices are illegal and Jim Crow laws are no longer enforced, the detrimental effect of these 20th century policies are particularly seen in Black and Hispanic communities today. Because of these discriminatory practices, Black and Hispanic communities have had a little tax revenue and their neighborhoods. As a result of this, there has been minimal improvement in schools, hospitals, libraries, and public spaces as well as a lack of job opportunities and other general opportunities for advancement. Lastly, scholars point to implicit bias in the medical field as a contributor to health disparities. These are unconscious prejudicial attitudes and stereotypes held about social groups of people. This directly impacts health care professionals decisions and treatments, particularly with minorities, as minority populations are less likely to receive necessary health services and interventions.

Are there any solutions to addressing health disparities? California-based registered dietitian Cordialis Msora-Kasago believes we should direct our attention toward achieving health equity. Health equity gives all people opportunity to reach their full health potential by identifying and removing barriers that restrict this. This is not to be confused with health equality, which distributes the same resources and opportunities to every individual across a population. Healthy equality, in some circumstances, may actually contribute to health inequity. The graphic below is a great description of the difference between health equity and health equality. If persons are at a disadvantaged, it is no benefit to them to receive equal resources as someone who is not disadvantaged. It is more beneficial to distribute resources based on need.

Melissa Ruiz Hernandez // Equity

There is a multitude of ways that we can promote equity. On an individual level, we can recognize how social, political, and economic structures can promote either health or illness and simultaneously advocate for social justice. We can work to unpack our own implicit bias and develop plans to mitigate these biases. We can practice cultural humility and learn how to be culturally sensitive. We can advocate for diversity the spaces that we occupy, whether it be school or our workplace. On a community level, we can work with local government and nonprofit organizations to start and maintain community gardens and transportation programs for those in need. In terms of policy, we can support efforts to fund food assistance programs as well as to tax unhealthy food and beverage options.

The bottom line is that health disparities disproportionately affects minorities but it is the responsibility of all of us to promote health equity on the individual level, community level, policy level, and professional level as a counter measure to these disparities.

References

Msora-Kasago, C. (2020, September 11). Understanding and Promoting Nutrition and Health Equity: Food & Nutrition Magazine: Volume 9, Issue 4. Retrieved November 04, 2020, from https://foodandnutrition.org/from-the-magazine/understanding-and-promoting-nutrition-and-health-equity/