Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Equity Issues in Public Health

Equity issues in public health concern the fair and just distribution of health, healthcare resources, and the conditions that enable people to be healthy, so that avoidable differences in health outcomes between population groups are reduced. Health equity is distinguished from simple equality: it requires allocati…

Curated from this journal's research 📚 7 peer-reviewed articles cited Cited 7× across the literature 🔖 ISSN 2641-4538 🗓 Reviewed July 2026

Overview

Equity issues in public health concern the fair and just distribution of health, healthcare resources, and the conditions that enable people to be healthy, so that avoidable differences in health outcomes between population groups are reduced. Health equity is distinguished from simple equality: it requires allocating resources and opportunities according to need, addressing the social, economic, and structural determinants that produce systematic disadvantage. Inequities arise along lines of income, gender, ethnicity, geography, education, and social position, and are shaped by discrimination, violence, and unequal access to services, all of which can affect physical and mental health, including conditions such as depression and chronic disease. The field examines how factors like gender norms, empowerment, and structural and institutional design influence health outcomes, and how interventions, from community empowerment programmes to quality-improvement strategies in health facilities, can narrow disparities. Ethical principles of fairness and justice underpin much of this work, framing equity as both a measurable outcome and a normative goal. Methodologically, equity research uses epidemiology, social science, and program evaluation to identify disadvantaged populations, quantify gaps, and assess the effects of policies and interventions. By directing attention to who is left behind and why, equity-focused public health seeks to ensure that all individuals and communities have a fair opportunity to attain their full health potential.

Research published in this journal

7 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

2017

Ethics and Health

Mango LucioCorresponding author
Nuclear Medicine, S. Camillo-Forlanini General Hospital, Rome – Italy
Public Health International Cited by 4 doi:10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-17-1839

How this research is being cited

The 7 articles above have been cited 7 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Equity Issues in Public Health, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in Public Health International (ISSN 2641-4538).

Journal editorial board
Javad Javan-Noughabi · United Kingdom Evelyn O Talbott · United States Zainab Taha · United Arab Emirates

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.