Training Course on Health Equity, Disparities, and Social Justice

Module 1 – Foundations of Health Equity and Social Justice
Topics Covered:
Key definitions: health equity, disparities, and justice.
Historical perspectives on inequities in health.
Ethical frameworks underpinning social justice in healthcare.
Global and regional trends in health disparities.
Case Study: Maternal mortality disparities across income groups.

Module 2 – Social and Structural Determinants of Health
Topics Covered:
Impact of poverty, education, housing, and employment on health.
Race, ethnicity, gender, disability, and marginalized populations.
Intersectionality and cumulative disadvantage.
Structural racism and institutional bias in health systems.
Group Exercise: Mapping social determinants in a local community.

Module 3 – Measuring and Monitoring Health Inequities
Topics Covered:
Tools and indicators for equity measurement (e.g., Gini index, equity stratifiers).
Data disaggregation and equity audits.
Geographic and demographic disparities in health access.
Monitoring progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and SDGs.
Practical Session: Conducting a mini health equity audit with sample data.

Module 4 – Strategies and Policies to Advance Health Equity
Topics Covered:
Health-in-All-Policies (HiAP) approach.
Equity-oriented policy design and advocacy.
Role of community engagement and participatory approaches.
Intersectoral collaboration (health, housing, education, labor).
Simulation: Drafting an equity-focused health policy brief.

Module 5 – Action for Social Justice and Transformative Change
Topics Covered:
Community empowerment and rights-based approaches.
Tackling inequities in access to primary care and essential medicines.
Health equity in emergencies and humanitarian settings.
Advocacy and leadership for social change.
Capstone Project: Participants develop an equity-focused intervention for their context.

Course Outcomes
Comprehensive understanding of health equity, disparities, and justice.
Analytical skills to assess and address inequities.
Practical tools for policy design, advocacy, and community engagement.
Capstone project with actionable recommendations for advancing equity.
Certificate of completion.