Health Affairs examines health care equity, role of social factors

The June issue of Health Affairs explores the pursuit of health equity, and the relationship between health equity and social factors. Studies compare health and health disparities in 32 countries; show U.S. progress in reducing racial disparities in surgical mortality and kidney transplantation rates; and how housing assistance can improve access to health care, among other topics. “Early evidence of health disparities led to a focus on the health care system – the roles of bias and discrimination, as captured by the title of the 2003 [Institute of Medicine] report ‘Unequal Treatment,’” notes editor-in-chief Alan Weil. “Yet…growing understanding of the role of social factors in determining health outcomes makes it clear that achieving equity requires widening the lens.”