Identifying the root causes of health inequities: Reflections on the 2011 national center for HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, STD, and TB prevention health equity symposium

摘要

In August 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHH-STP) held a one-day health equity symposium titled "Identifying Root Causes of Health Inequities: Using Data to Monitor and Improve Health." The goal of the symposium was to strengthen CDC's role as a leader in health equity by (i) increasing awareness, engagement, and action to address the social determinants of health (SDH); and (2) highlighting the role of data in informing and improving public health policy, practice, and research. The symposium featured keynote presentations by national experts, a question-and-answer session with the presenters, 40 scientific posters highlighting CDC's SDH activities, and five simultaneous scientific workshops. We describe the highlights of the main messages delivered by each of several keynote speakers who are not affiliated with CDC. In offering this account of messages delivered by private citizens, CDC authors respect the autonomy and integrity of the proceedings of a public meeting and offer no judgment regarding the merits of what was discussed or the implications of specific comments for CDC and its partners.