Skip to Content
Skip Ribbon Commands

Health Equity

Health Equity

​​​​​​​​Health Equity is the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health (CDC). 
What are Tobacco-Related Health Disparities?
Preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or in opportunities to achieve optimal health experienced by socially disadvantaged racial, ethnic, and other population groups, and communities (CDC).

Health disparities are reflected through differences in length of life; quality of life; rates of disease, disability, and death; severity of disease; and access to treatment​​​. If a health outcome is seen to a greater or lesser extent between populations, there is disparity.​

Facing Tobacco-Related Health Disp​ar​ities
The California Department of Education has identified the following student groups as having disparately high rates of tobacco use, and potentially higher rates of adverse health outcomes: 
  • African American/Black American 
  • Indian/Alaska Native 
  • Latino/Hispanic 
  • Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 
  • Students identifying as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) 
  • Students in foster care 
  • Students experiencing homelessness 
  • Students enrolled in non-traditional schools 
  • Low-income communities​
  • Students with co-occurring disorders such as mental health conditions and substance use disorders​

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age. These factors affect a ​wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. ​​​​Some of those factors include economic stability, social and community context, neighborhood and environment, health care, and education. They are affected by structural racism, oppression​, and power imbalances.

SDOH-icons.png

Go to top