Equitable Health Care Analysis

Health inequities are preventable, socially produced disparities in the health of groups of people that are systematic in their unequal and unfair distribution across the population (1). This is unlike the similar and often inaccurately substituted word “inequality” which merely refers to the uneven distribution of health status or health resources. Equitable health care ensures equal access and utilisation of services for equal need. To achieve this it must be recognised that different populations have different levels of health and capacity to manage their health issues, meaning that health care approaches must be tailored to work towards equitable health outcomes (2). In the Australian context, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
She was afebrile but had a subjective fever earlier. Her left knee was swollen and warm with no palpable effusion. There was limited extension and flexion. Examination of the right knee was normal. Her lower left leg and left arm had healed abscess sites. She had bilateral axillary lymphadenopathy. She had normal heart sounds with no added sounds. She had no splenomegaly and the rest of her examination was normal.
Having recently arrived in Alice Springs from a southern state I was yet to fully adjust my thinking to be relevant to the local population. My immediate differential diagnoses were Gonococcal arthritis, septic arthritis, and less likely a knee sprain or overuse injury. But as a registrar experienced in working in Central Australia pointed out “In ED we’re in the business of ruling out life threatening conditions. What is something important that is seen in Indigenous
Continuing to engage this family with culturally appropriate health care and education and ensuring ease of access to services will be essential in MT’s long term prognosis. MT was linked to dedicated ARF/RHD clinical services who are experienced at delivering care in the Aboriginal Central Australian setting, and in addition MT’s mother was positively engaged with the NT health service as her 22 year old brother had been diagnosed with ARF several years previously and was soon to have a heart valve operation at Royal Darwin Hospital due to rheumatic heart disease. This meant MT’s mother was already educated in the process of ARF treatment for avoiding complications. A fourly weekly regime of injections plus additional regular specialist reviews would be a challenging regime for any population of patients to adhere to, however there are additional barriers in place for Aboriginal teenagers who may not feel comfortable engaging with health services, may have lower levels of health literacy, and may move throughout the region due to family links or