The Necessity of Equity

group of people

An equitable community is one where everyone is included in the full benefits of society. In such a community, everyone is treated with fairness and justice and empowered to participate fully in social, cultural, and economic life.

And the evidence is strong that individuals thrive in these types of communities. Social scientists Ora and Issac Prilleltensky succinctly summarize the research, noting that:

"People in more egalitarian countries live longer and have better health outcomes."

The issues with inequity

The more inequity in a country, the more people experience their social environment as hostile. This inhibits the creation of wider social networks, along with community trust. Not only do people in inequitable countries experience fewer of the benefits of social networks, they are also less able to access key resources, such as good housing, healthcare, and education. They have fewer or no opportunities for satisfying employment. They are more likely to live in areas with pollution or other health risks and more likely to be victims of crime. And they are continually exposed to the increased stress of an environment that is hostile in large and small ways.