Health disparities are UNFAIR and PREVENTABLE differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health, health quality, or health outcomes that are experienced by underserved populations.
what we do
AiCC recognises that across the UK, ethnic minorities are more likely to experience health disparities. And some groups experience greater disparities than others. The UK’s Department of Health says some ethnic minorities “experience poorer health than others (health inequalities), have poorer access to services and poorer quality of services (inequities in access)”.
While race and ethnicity are drivers of healthcare inequalities, other factors such as poverty, age, gender, sexuality and disability are also predicators. Therefore, our approach is to work with individuals and communities that consider how different aspects of a person’s identity overlap and how this may impact their health – this is sometimes called INTERSECTIONALITY.
For example, we co-deliver interventions about blood donation with VCFSE organisations that support Black sickle cell warriors - as they have a greater need for ethnically-matched blood for their treatment than Black people without sickle cell disorder.
AiCC believes in Health Equity, which is when everyone has a FAIR and JUST opportunity to attain their optimal health. Unlike health equality, which calls for equal treatment for all patients - and does not always work in practice because some people need more support, or a different kind of support, than others - health equity prioritises treatment and care based on need. Health equity is about social justice in healthcare.
See the gallery for photos of our collaborative work within HEALTH EQUITY.
Would you like to partner with us in finding creative solutions to challenges in this area? Simply send us a message HERE for more information.
Gallery
Science education about blood donation
Science education about blood donation
Science education about blood donation