Cross posted from: EQUIDAD@listserv.paho.org
*Closing the Health Equity Gap:
Policy Options and Opportunities for Action**
2013 - ISBN 978 92 4 150517 8
*World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
Available online PDF [64p.] at: http://bit.ly/XnEvWl
*“Summary…….*This report brings together a series of policy briefs and is aimed at policy-makers and others interested to improve health equity by acting within the health system and on broader governmental policy.
The report provides an update and overview of the vast amount of evidence produced during the Commission on Social Determinants of Health and identifies policy options to implement the main recommendations of the Commission. It draws from the extensive work of the nine global knowledge networks set up by WHO to generate evidence for the Commission. ****
It first considers the essential role of the health sector in reducing inequities in five areas (working towards universal coverage; public health programmes; measuring inequities in health; facilitating mobilization of people and groups; intersectoral action). Second, it discusses how the health sector can work with other sectors that are also vital to this task in seven additional areas (early child development; urban settings; globalization
The report ends by outlining one way to put together a national action plan addressing these issues, in light of the different starting points and priorities found in each country.” ****
*Content*
Introduction****
Why act to improve health equity?****
The structure of this report
*Section 1. The Health Sector*
Working towards universal coverage****
Public health programmes****
Measuring inequities in health****
Facilitating mobilization of people and groups****
Intersectoral action
*Section 2. Cross-Government Actions*
Early child development****
Urban settings****
Globalization and increasing economic interdependence****
Employment and working conditions****
Policy and attitudes towards women****
Inclusive policies****
Engaging civil society****
An Example Programme of Action****
Questions and Next Steps
*“..At a time when the world is discussing the post-2015 development goals, this report brings an important contribution to what is now widely regarded as a major shortcoming of the Millennium Development Goals: the need to monitor progress not only at national level but also for specific socioeconomic and ethnic subgroups, thus ensuring that progress at national level does not aggravate within-country disparities….”
* **- Professor Cesar G. Victora, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Brazil and President, International Epidemiological Association*
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Ruggiero, Mrs. Ana Lucia (WDC)
mailto:ruglucia@paho.org