A Health Equity Primer: Understanding and Addressing Inequities in Pediatric Orthopaedics

Sociopolitical events in recent years including ongoing killings of Black Americans, violence against immigrants, and the COVID-19 pandemic have all shone a spotlight on reality that we live society where an individual’s safety, health, ability to access receive quality medical care are contingent upon their socioeconomic circumstances personal identities. These inspired both increased civic engagement addressing structural inequities healthcare, as well changes within modalities delivery, making this opportune time examine health pediatric orthopaedics re-commit working towards reduction. In order ensure orthopaedic surgeons best positioned engage such work, paper will discuss equity serve foundational primer inform future equity-focused efforts. We define equity, equality, intersectionality, clarify differences between these terms roles lenses better understand patients’ unique backgrounds circumstances. Existing research disparities be reviewed with focus ways which race, ethnicity, insurance status, gender sexuality, literacy, language, nutrition food availability, physical ability, environmental safety impact accessibility care. Beyond discussing existing disparities, detail tangible actions clinicians can take improve inclusivity clinical environments patient encounters. By centering intersectional approach integrating settings, ultimately interpersonal interactions marginalized patients increase they provide trust