Equity in public health standards: a qualitative document analysis of policies from two Canadian provinces
To understand how health equity is conceptualized in public health systems, this research team analyzed public health documents from British Columbia (BC) and Ontario (ON). The team focused on standards of practice, which many public health organizations are developing or re-visiting as a mechanism for system renewal. The analysis compared the conceptualization and integration of health equity in key documents related to the public health renewal process of each province.
The two provinces’ approaches were similar in key ways: their understanding of health equity, their focus on reducing health inequities, and their naming of health equity as a goal. However, the researchers describe different circumstances surrounding each province’s renewal process. For example, conducting an evidence review on equity and using an equity lens during the development of the BC standards appears to have resulted in specific and robust processes to address health inequities. In contrast, the Ontario public health standards were not developed to be legislated, enforceable, or have financial implications for the Boards of Health.
The authors conclude that activities of public health organizations are influenced by how health inequities are understood and described in standards of practice.
This research is part of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) funded project entitled Renewal of Public Health Services in BC and Ontario . The results of this project seek to inform system renewal in BC, ON and Canada.
Members of the research team presented their work at a Public Health Ontario Round table on September 4, 2012.
Use this resource to:
- Learn how health equity is conceptualized and incorporated into standards for public health organizations in BC and Ontario
- Consider the roles played by public health organizations in addressing health inequities
- Find guidance to incorporate equity considerations into local and regional public health programs and services
- Reflect on how terminology (e.g., “priority populations” vs. “vulnerable populations”), and public health paradigms can influence public health activities
Pinto, A., Manson, H., Pauly, B., Thanos, J., Parks, A., & Cox, A. (2012). Equity in public health standards: a qualitative document analysis of policies from two Canadian provinces. International Journal of Equity in Health, 11(1), 28. doi: 10.1186/1475-9276-11-28
Tags: Competencies & organizational standards, Report / Document