In my view, there is no correct definition of inequity or
inequality. In some settings only one term is used (eg WHO
talks only of inequity). In others neither term is used
because a government rejects the values of fairness and justice
implied in these terms - this was true of the UK in the 1980s
and early 1990s and the US currently.
For me, the most satisfactory operationalisation is that
inequity is the dynamic process which results in inequality. Thus,
my definition of inequity is 'distributional injustice' or as
Marx put it (regarding equity) 'from each according to his
abilities, to each according to his needs' (of course I reject
Marx's sexist pronouns). My definition of inequality is 'unfair
or unjust differences in health determinants or outcomes between
defined populations or subpopulations'.
I would also propose that talking of science only confuses
things, as science is socially constructed and value-laden.
Best wishes, Alex
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Dr Alex Scott-Samuel
EQUAL (Equity in Health Research and Development Unit)
Division of Public Health
University of Liverpool
Whelan Building
Quadrangle
Liverpool
L69 3GB
Tel (+44)151-794-5569
Fax (+44)151-794-5588
http://pcwww.liv.ac.uk/~alexss
e-mail [log in to unmask]
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