Introduction by Croakey: Dr Elizabeth Deveny, CEO of the Consumers Health Forum of Australia, gave a presentation at the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care today, addressing some of the determinants of health equity.
Deveny will also talk about leadership and health equity at a #CroakeyLIVE webinar from 4-5pm AEDT on Monday, 9 December.
Register here for the webinar, which is sponsored by the WA Primary Health Alliance as part of Croakey’s #Medicare40Years project. It will be moderated by Dr Tim Senior, a GP and contributing editor at Croakey.
Elizabeth Deveny writes:
Equity isn’t just about health – it’s about fairness in every part of life.
Too often, health equity is discussed as if it’s separate from broader inequities. But the truth is, health outcomes are deeply tied to issues like housing, education, income, and social connection.
If we want to improve the health of Australians, we need to broaden our gaze and focus on equity as a whole.
For me, this isn’t just a theoretical issue – it’s personal.
There were times in my life when I didn’t have enough money for food or shoes without holes in them. I’ve wondered how I’d pay the rent, and those worries took a toll on my health and wellbeing, even though they weren’t health problems as such.
And I don’t kid myself that I might not end up back there again one day. Right now, I consider myself relatively fortunate, but I’ve had a taste of homelessness. Once, when my family was evicted, I came home from school to find everything we owned on the footpath. That experience stayed with me – it’s a stark reminder of how unfair circumstances can shape lives and health.
Over the years, I’ve seen how inequity plays out in our health system. Some of the sickest people don’t even reach out for care because they’re overwhelmed by other barriers. If you don’t have a stable home, a steady income, or people who care about you, focusing on your health may not be on the top of your to-do list.
Picking up the pieces
Take the example of someone experiencing homelessness. They do need access to health services, and the work of homelessness-focused health programs is absolutely vital.
But those services are not resourced to provide an integrated and equitable solution for every person that they care for. To create long-term positive change, what people experiencing homelessness really need is a home, a job, and a supportive community.
Health services can provide immediate care, but a stable place in society is what enables lasting equity and wellbeing.
Right now, our health system often picks up the pieces when other systems fail. When people don’t have access to housing, education, or social support, it’s the health system that bears the cost. But by the time someone ends up in a hospital bed, it’s often too late to address the real causes of their poor health.
This year, as Medicare celebrates its 40th anniversary, it’s worth reflecting on what it’s achieved – and what it hasn’t.
Medicare has done an extraordinary job of connecting Australians to healthcare. But access to healthcare alone doesn’t solve inequity. What will improve health outcomes is improving equity – ensuring everyone has what they need to live a fair and decent life.
As a leader, I strive to remain humble (and yes, I know even saying that might suggest I’m not quite there yet!). I try to stay open, to let others have a voice, and to amplify the messages of those who aren’t in the room – though ideally, they are in the room with or without me sharing their experiences.
If we want to create a healthier Australia, we need to stop talking about health equity as if it’s a problem that can be resolved on its own and without attention to the structural contributors to disadvantage.
It’s time to focus on equity. Fairer places in society create fairer health outcomes. Equity isn’t just an ideal – it’s the foundation for a stronger, fairer future for everyone.
Register here to hear from Dr Elizabeth Deveny and other speakers at the #CroakeyLIVE webinar, from 4-5pm AEDT on Monday, 9 December.
