Resource Library

Introduction to health equity [Online course]

Cette ressource est également disponible en français.

The Introduction to health equity online course is a series of five free, self-directed, bilingual online modules designed to provide foundational knowledge on health equity and the social determinants of health. The modules facilitate learner reflection, illustrate health equity organizational capacity building, and provide examples of effective health equity action by public health practitioners and organizations.  

The five modules are: 

1. What are health inequities?  
2. Pathways to health equity  
3. Acting to improve health equity  
4. Reflections on world views  
5. Building organizational capacity for equity work  

The course incorporates a mix of components and formats to suit different learning styles (including text, video and interactive components); a glossary of key terms; links to related resources; and practical scenarios for application of concepts. All modules are available in PDF format (English and French), including Alt-text for images for increased accessibility. Learners receive a badge for completing each module and a course certificate for successfully completing all modules and evaluations.

Online course refreshed

The NCCDH and Public Health Ontario co-developed the Introduction to health equity online course in 2020 with the support of a pan-Canadian advisory group made up of public health practitioners and researchers, and pilot testing by public health professionals. 

In 2022–23, the NCCDH conducted an in-depth evaluation of user data and feedback on the modules. Data from over 1,000 online course registrants was systematically analyzed and themed to identify areas for updating and validation. Keeping with the core content and module focus of the online course, changes made as a result of the evaluation include:

• updated sources for some concepts
• technological improvements
• improvements to French-language wording
• revisions to module evaluations

Evaluation results also had significant implications for supporting professional development at all levels of public health and development of academic curriculum and student support. The information contained in the updated online course has been consistently applied to the NCCDH’s individual and organizational capacity and competency development.

Applications for public health

The Introduction to health equity online course supports knowledge and skill development at multiple levels and for various purposes: 

• Enhance learning and professional development to meet the Core Competencies for Public Health in Canada
• Design course curriculum for undergraduate, graduate and other health-related academic courses
• Contribute to professional development planning and goals
• Strengthen orientation and performance appraisal processes for new public and community health staff at all levels of an organization
• Support learning needs of of public health associations and public health disciplines
• Stimulate conversation within communities of practice though guided discussion by module and/or topic

Use this resource to:

• Facilitate discussion about the structural and social roots of health inequities and the role of public health to address these factors
• Strengthen personal and professional development plans for performance appraisals and other organizational human resources processes
• Explore the pathways through which health inequities are created and persist among multisectoral partners in public health initiatives

 

Related Resources:

Glossary of essential health equity terms

Let’s Talk: Language of health equity (2023)

Language and health equity: A curated list (2023)

---

Reference

National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health & Public Health Ontario. (2023). Introduction to health equity [Online course]. Antigonish, NS: NCCDH, St. Francis Xavier University.

Tags: Key concepts, Methods & tools, Assess and report, Modify and orient interventions, Public Health Organization, Link, Online Course