The Equity Gauge

What is Equity?

Equity has a number of different meanings. The Equity Gauge is based on the following broad meaning: Equity means fair shares and fair opportunities in the distribution and access of resources and provision of services.

Equity is different to equal shares or equal opportunities. Equity means that greater resources and more services should be made available to the most vulnerable and needy groups in society. For example, equal shares would mean every district having the same amount of money to spend on each person. In contrast, equity would mean that districts with the most vulnerable populations and worst facilities receive more money than better off districts.

Equity is a measure that compares one group with another. For example rich with poor, black with white, rural with urban and women with men. The long term goal of promoting equity is to improve the health of the most vulnerable groups.