What is equity and how has coronavirus impacted it

If you believe in human rights it’s important to understand the difference between equity and equality, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

Author: VicHealth works with health promotion experts to create a Victoria where everyone can enjoy better health and wellbeing. Learn more here

Any coronavirus information mentioned is accurate at the time this article was first published (8 July 2020). For the most up-to-date information about coronavirus restrictions, please visit the source: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au

If a picture is worth a thousand words, the popular ‘equity vs equality’ image below could start a thousand conversations, and quickly get you to that ‘ah-ha’ moment of understanding the difference between these concepts.

Craig Froehle created this image in 2012 to show the difference between equality and equity. More information here.

The image visually represents just how different these two ideas are: equality means treating everyone the same regardless of their needs, while equity is about treating people differently based on their needs.

Now you have an idea of the key differences between equality and equity (and if not, you can read our longer explanation of the difference between health inequality and inequity), let’s look at how coronavirus has impacted things.

How coronavirus has given us a chance to change inequities

Inequity was on the rise before coronavirus came along, and the new Life and Health Re-imagined research report describes how coronavirus has both highlighted the issues, and paved the way for positive change.

Three ways the coronavirus context has highlighted equity solutions:

1. Health care

Telehealth services have become readily available, which means where you live or your access to transport doesn’t get in the way of accessing professional medical advice. Changes like this can help address inequities between people who live in the city and people who live in regional and rural areas.

2. Jobs

Young people and women are more likely to work in retail and hospitality jobs, so were more likely to lose their job when coronavirus restrictions started. With this in mind, we need to re-shape the future of work and jobs so that your age and gender don’t determine whether you have a secure job.

3. Education

Free childcare helped many families keep their kids in care after a coronavirus-related job loss or reduced hours/pay. We know that free or more affordable  childcare can make a difference to people - whether we are in the middle of a global pandemic or not. So supporting people to balance raising kids with study or work, no matter how much money they have, creates equity in our communities.

Looking at equity in the context of coronavirus helps us understand the difference between equity and equality, and helps us consider relevant solutions. 

More about the research behind these suggestions

The research paper on Equity during the coronavirus response is part of our new five-part series Life and Health Re-imagined.

We're exploring how we can all create a healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable community – for everyone. We’re bringing leading experts together for five weeks of ideas and discussions with the potential to change the shape of communities across Victoria.

Each week will include:

• A new, thought-provoking article and creative imagery published after each event.
• A live, interactive online event featuring local and international guests, and host Shelley Ware.
• Week-long coverage and in-depth discussion of the ideas on croakey.org
• Ongoing conversation on our social media channels.

Here is a time-lapse of the ideas discussed at the Life and Health Re-imagined event:

Have a coronavirus question?

For all coronavirus questions visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au or call the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) hotline on 1800 020 080.