Our commitment to health equity 

The HKPR District Health Unit is committed to ensuring health equity, diversity, inclusion, and allyship are included in the planning and implementation of all our public health programs and services.  

We also work closely with community partners to address health equity issues in our communities such as poverty, food insecurity, and housing and homelessness.   

What is health equity? 

Health equity means that all people have fair access and opportunities to achieve their full health potential regardless of their social position or other socially determined circumstances. This includes gender, ethnicity, disability, social status, sexual orientation, religion and age. 

What is health equality? 

Health equality means everyone has equal access to resources, care, and services required to be healthy. Example: A doctor treats everyone the same and offers the same care.  

Therefore, we need health equity because not everyone has the same opportunities to reach their full health potential.  

What is health inequity? 

Health inequity refers to avoidable health differences and disadvantages between different groups of people. Health inequities are caused by systematic, avoidable, unfair, and unjust social, political, and economic conditions. 

Health equity and the social determinants of health 

The social determinants of health (SDOH) are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. SDOH is a fundamental part for improving health and reducing inequities.  

We are working in several ways to reduce health inequalities and address the social determinants of health. Our key determinants of health are income, affordable housing, food security and stigma/judgement. 

View the three strategic priorities the Government of Canada is doing to support the reduction of health inequalities.