Applying a Health Equity Lens to Urinary Incontinence

Abstract

Health equity is attained when everyone has the opportunity achieve the health they envision; however, health disparities are a barrier to health equity. As health disparities specific to urogynecology exist, it is critical to examine and contextualize them in a framework that improves understanding of what factors may drive these disparities to craft effective solutions. This article will review what we currently know about urinary incontinence disparities and provide a framework for evaluation as well as a framework for advancing health equity in the care of diverse patient populations with urinary incontinence.

Figure 1:. Model For Evaluating Health Disparities

Figure adapted with permission from Warnecke et al. Approaching Health Disparities From a Population Perspective: The National Institutes of Health Centers for Population Health and Health Disparities. American journal of public health. 2008