Let's Talk: Language of health equity
Cette ressource est également disponible en français.
This installment of the Let’s Talk series supports intentional reflection on the language used to describe equity and people who live with inequities. It explores how power and culture are baked into language. Examples of terms commonly used that reinforce power imbalances and alternatives for terms that redistribute power are highlighted.
This document describes three principles of inclusive health equity language that drives action for health equity: person-first, system-focused, and asset–based.
Commonly used terms that reinforce stigma, blame, and deficit, are discouraged in public health practice and policy and are highlighted in this resource. These terms include equity-seeking, marginalized, vulnerable, stakeholder, resilient, empower and more. This resource provides alternative terms to consider that follow the principles of inclusive health equity language.
Considerations for practice are described, including how the language we use both influences and is influenced by our values. Discussion questions encourage reflection on individual social position, personal and organizational beliefs about causes of health outcomes, consideration of personal values, and examination of language used in organizational practices and documents.
Use this resource to:
- Reflect on your personal values, beliefs, privilege, and social position, and how this influences the language you use to describe health equity issues.
- Examine organizational workplans, policies, strategic plans, and other guiding documents – identify terms used to describe health equity and communities, and replace with options that are more inclusive.
- Consider how you can engage community members in identifying and developing the health equity language used in your organization.
Download the companion illustrations:
| Health Equity Language | |
 |
 |
Alignment with NCCDH work:
Understanding how to shift language to be more inclusive and equity-focused aligns strongly with other NCCDH work.
- The Glossary of Essential Health Equity Terms describes 32 core health equity terms for building common understanding around health equity concepts.
- Our 2022 Webinar : Glossary of Essential Health Equity Terms explored the practical use of the glossary to identify the roots of inequity and areas for action.
- Learning Together: Communicating to propel organizational capacity for action on health equity outlines key approaches to communicating about health equity to compel and sustain action within health organizations
Related Resources:
Companion Document: Language and health equity: A curated list
See other resources on communication strategies for health equity.
See other resources in the Let’s Talk series.
Reference
National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. (2023). Let’s Talk: Language of health equity. Antigonish, NS: NCCDH, St. Francis Xavier University.
Suggested citation for illustrations:
National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. (2023). Title of image. [Online image]. Antigonish, NS: NCCDH, St. Francis Xavier University.
Tags: Key concepts, Leadership & capacity building, Structural determinants, Communication Strategies, Document, Report / Document, Let's Talk