ABSTRACT

Practical experience suggests that eliminating systematic health disparities between social groups requires correcting their fundamental causes, at least to some extent, as well as cushioning their health-damaging effects (17, 18). Furthermore, a commitment to equalizing opportunities to be healthy inherently requires identification of the determinants as well as manifestations of health disparities (15). Concern for health equity thus implies a values-based commitment to tackle poverty and health, with or without conclusive evidence of aggregate utilitarian gains.