The Health Equity Research Foundation -

Types of Health Equity Research

Table 1 summarizes the importance of the different types of health equity research that are aligned with the mission and vision of the SLMC HERE Foundation.

Table 1. Types of health equity research and their examples.

RESEARCH CATEGORY	WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR, AND WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT	EXAMPLES OF ALIGNED RESEARCH OBJECTIVES	EXAMPLES OF MISALIGNED RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Measuring inequities in health	We need to identify which disparities are unjust. If they are, we need to measure how wide the gap is. This will allow us in the future to assess if any improvement has taken place.	To compare low income and high income Filipinos in terms of awareness, treatment, and control of chronic non-communicable disease	To determine awareness, treatment, and control of non-communicable disease in a rural area Note: There is no advantaged group against which the health inequity gap will be measured. Some things we do for disadvantaged groups may mask the gap rather than reduce it. It is therefore important to keep our eye on the gap.
Understanding inequities in health	We need to identify factors that lead to inequities in health and healthcare. This will provide targets for solutions.	To describe what factors affect patient satisfaction and utilization rates in primary care facilities in urban, rural, and remote areas	To describe what factors affect patient satisfaction and utilization in primary care facilities in remote areas Note: Again, there is no advantaged group against which the health inequity gap will be measured
Mitigating inequities in health	Potential solutions can be tested to show reductions in health and healthcare inequities.	To determine the impact of a low-cost, mobile primary care facility on NCD control rates between formally employed, informal workers, and unemployed individuals	To develop and implement a low-cost, mobile primary care facility in a geographically isolated and disadvantaged area. Note: Again, there is no advantaged group against which the health inequity gap could be measured. In addition, this appears to be a program proposal to be implemented rather than a research project.

RESEARCH CATEGORY

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR, AND WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

EXAMPLES OF ALIGNED RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

EXAMPLES OF MISALIGNED RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Measuring inequities in health

We need to identify which disparities are unjust. If they are, we need to measure how wide the gap is. This will allow us in the future to assess if any improvement has taken place.

To compare low income and high income Filipinos in terms of awareness, treatment, and control of chronic non-communicable disease

To determine awareness, treatment, and control of non-communicable disease in a rural area

Note:

There is no advantaged group against which the health inequity gap will be measured. Some things we do for disadvantaged groups may mask the gap rather than reduce it. It is therefore important to keep our eye on the gap.

Understanding inequities in health

We need to identify factors that lead to inequities in health and healthcare. This will provide targets for solutions.

To describe what factors affect patient satisfaction and utilization rates in primary care facilities in urban, rural, and remote areas

To describe what factors affect patient satisfaction and utilization in primary care facilities in remote areas

Note:

Again, there is no advantaged group against which the health inequity gap will be measured

Mitigating inequities in health

Potential solutions can be tested to show reductions in health and healthcare inequities.

To determine the impact of a low-cost, mobile primary care facility on NCD control rates between formally employed, informal workers, and unemployed individuals

To develop and implement a low-cost, mobile primary care facility in a geographically isolated and disadvantaged area.

Note:

Again, there is no advantaged group against which the health inequity gap could be measured. In addition, this appears to be a program proposal to be implemented rather than a research project.