Devex: Opinion: Countries need to build National Health Equity Strategies. Here’s how.
Eric A. Friedman, project leader for the Platform for a Framework Convention on Global Health at the Georgetown University Law Center’s O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law

“…As the persistence of deep health inequities demonstrates, progress on overall health indicators … far from guarantees a reduction in health inequities. Instead, a deliberate effort is required — and an area this complex will require thoughtful and thorough strategies. One concrete step that could serve as a foundation for comprehensive action toward health equity would be for countries to develop and implement National Health Equity Strategies, grounded in human rights and nondiscrimination. … Critically, people from populations experiencing health inequities should be central to the processes of developing any strategies around this challenge. … Along with being owned by people who typically have little power, they will need to have strong political support if the law and policy changes and resources required for their implementation is to follow. … Working closely with the Stop TB Partnership, USAID, and other partners, … the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at the Georgetown University Law Center is promoting National Health Equity Strategies, and has drafted an implementation guide that could aid in developing them. … Through the Sustainable Development Goals, the world promised to leave no one behind. Join this initiative to contribute to making that promise real” (4/13).