Health equity is achieved when all populations have fair access to the opportunities and resources they need to obtain optimal health, and the conditions and capacities to take advantage of these opportunities and resources, including culturally and linguistically responsive healthcare.

Eliminating health disparities requires us to target their root causes, also known as the social determinants of health. These determinants include early childhood education, proximity to healthy and fresh food outlets, safe and satisfactory housing conditions, safe streets and walkable spaces, economic security, clean air, accessible and affordable transportation, and racism. We use a systems approach that touches multiple governing and social structures that affect the social determinants, appreciates the intersectionality of possible root causes, considers the complexity of possible and contextually- and culturally-appropriate solutions, and works to build the power of community members most affected by the disparities.