Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Definitions
Diversity
Range of a person's individual attributes, including, but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, language, socioeconomic status, physical ability or attributes, religion, ethical values, geographic origin, veteran status, educational background, neurocognitive functioning, family structures, and political beliefs. Includes perspectives related to both these individual attributes and life experiences.
Inclusion
Inclusion means that everyone's inherent worth and dignity are recognized and that everyone’s involvement is respected. An inclusive community promotes and sustains a sense of belonging; it values and practices respect for the talents, beliefs, backgrounds, talents, and challenges of its members.
Equity
Equitable distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within a society.
Health Inequities
These categories reflect social advantage or disadvantage when they determine an individual’s or group’s position in a social hierarchy. They are likely to reinforce social disadvantage and vulnerability. Inequities in health and its determinants are the metric for assessing health equity, the principle underlying a commitment to reducing inequities in health and its determinants.