Health policy for advanced practice nurses: from health disparities to health equities

The term health disparities came into widespread use in the mid-1990s. Healthcare providers who recognize and address these disparities can have a major impact in providing healthcare services to their patients. Significant disparities in the social determinants of health lead to disparities in the health of disadvantaged populations. The unequal distribution of power and resources in populations and communities leads to disparities in health and health outcomes. Healthcare systems that do not engage with the community and acknowledge and welcome people from different cultures and beliefs contribute to the health gap. They must partner with communities they serve and work toward the elimination of health disparities by providing equitable services and ameliorating the negative impact of bias. The World Health Organization defines the social determinants of health which have profound effects on health outcomes. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in their Healthy People 2020 document emphasizes the importance of the social determinants of health. Inequities in the social determinants of health can have lifelong impact on children and youth, making the development of integrated programs particularly important to the elimination of disparities.