Equality and equity are important factors for mental health. Equality refers to an even distribution of a metric, while equity refers to fairness of distribution (1). If there is inequity, it means that there are avoidable differences resulting from bad governance or exclusion (2).
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Equality and equity are protective of good mental health. More unequal societies have been associated with poorer mental health outcomes (3). The high rates of mental disorders in certain age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic groups indicate the inequities in society (4).
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References
1. Reidpath DD, Allotey P. Measuring global health inequity. Int J Equity Health [Internet]. 2007;6(1):16. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-9276-6-16
2. Global Health Europe. Inequity and Inequality in Health - Global Health Europe [Internet]. 2009 [cited 2021 Jan 15]. Available from: https://globalhealtheurope.org/values/inequity-and-inequality-in-health/
3. Wilkinson R, Pickett K. The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone. London: Penguin; 2010.
4. World Health Organization, Calouste Gulenkian Foundation. Social Determinants of Mental Health [Internet]. Geneva; 2014 [cited 2021 Feb 11]. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/112828/9789241506809_eng.pdf;jsessionid=3AD49FBCF0E66FECEAD76B06B5DD2462?sequence=1
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