Title: Balancing Equity and Efficiency | Health Knowledge
Headings: Balancing Equity and Efficiency
Balancing Equity and Efficiency
Equality, Equity and Policy: Balancing Equity and Efficiency
Balancing equity and efficiency
References

Content: Equity
Equity is the ‘fair’ distribution of benefits across the population. Section 1: The Concepts of Need and Social Justice outlines different approaches to the ‘fair’ distribution of resources, based on moral principles and theories of social justice. It is important to note that ‘equity’ differs from ‘equality’. Equality is the equal distribution of benefits across the population, so that every individual is given the same treatment regardless of their situation and ability to benefit from that treatment. Equal distribution of benefits does not always result in equal gains, as illustrated below. The Utilitarian theory of social justice states that equity = equality. This is called end state equity – a situation where there is an equal distribution of benefits. The Egalitarian theory of social justice states that equity is achieved when people have the same opportunities to obtain benefits even if the outcomes are unequal. This is called process equity.