Health Equity and Illness Prevention: Key Concepts and Lessons from Case Studies

Health equity is a foundational principle in public health, ensuring that all individuals have a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. This chapter examines the application of health equity to health promotion and illness prevention. It begins by offering a conceptual foundation—defining health equity and outlining key principles and approaches for applying equity to public health policies and programs. Methods for operationalizing and measuring health equity are then presented, drawing on frameworks grounded in both health systems and social determinants of health, and emphasizing the importance of disaggregated and intersectional data. The chapter concludes with three case studies illustrating equity-centered interventions in diverse contexts, including mental health reform, housing and environmental health policy, and cross-sectoral health promotion within Indigenous communities. Collectively, the chapter underscores the importance of embedding health equity into the design, delivery, and evaluation of public health interventions for health promotion and illness prevention. It calls for sustained cross-sector collaboration and data-driven action to reduce disparities and advance well-being for all.