Shared language for health equity

A glossary developed and maintained by AAPHD to support consistent use of equity-related terminology across DPH practice, policy, and education.

Ableism: Prejudice against individuals with disabilities based on societal norms of "normalcy." Like racism and sexism, it "structures opportunities to advantage some and disadvantage others."
Ally: A person recognizing unearned privileges who actively works to change unjust societal patterns. Allies promote equality and often must step beyond comfort zones, using power and privilege for justice.
Anti-racism: The practice of identifying and confronting racism through organizational and systemic change. Per Ibram X. Kendi, it means supporting policies and ideas achieving "racial equality" rather than merely being "not racist."
Centering: Emphasizing and prioritizing marginalized voices in decision-making by "valuing and uplifting the lived experiences of those most impacted by inequities."
Disability: Physical or mental impairment creating difficulties in activities and world interaction. The social model emphasizes "systemic barriers and social exclusion that require structural solutions."
Discrimination: Unjust treatment of individuals or groups based on actual or perceived membership in social categories including race, gender, ability, and socioeconomic class.
Diversity: Recognition and acceptance of different identities based on race, gender, orientation, class, age, origin, education, religion, abilities, and other characteristics.
Equity: Fairness and justice accounting for unequal starting positions due to power imbalances, requiring ongoing identification and removal of intentional and unintentional barriers.
Health Disparities: Particular health differences closely linked to "social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage" affecting groups facing systemic obstacles based on identity characteristics.
Health Equity: The highest health attainment level for all individuals, requiring equal valuation and elimination of "avoidable inequalities, historical and contemporary injustices."
Implicit Bias: Unconscious negative attitudes or stereotypes about social groups developed through experience, potentially influencing decisions and interactions negatively.
Inclusion: Acceptance of identities within social circles, creating belonging through support, respect, and valuation of unique skills and perspectives in workplace environments.
Intersectionality: The interaction of race, class, gender, and other identity markers informing "simultaneous experiences of oppression and privilege in their daily lives."
Microaggression: Subtle daily indignities — verbal, behavioral, environmental — communicating "hostile, derogatory, or negative slights and insults" intentionally or unintentionally. Three types: microinsults, microinvalidations, microassaults.
People of Color: Term describing individuals not considered "white," emphasizing "shared experiences of structural racism" and opposing "nonwhite" or "minority" terminology.
People-Centered Language: Inclusive communication referring to individuals as having conditions rather than being defined by them, using "people / persons" and "patient" terminology.
Racism: A system "structuring opportunity and assigning value based on phenotype," unfairly disadvantaging some communities. Functions at three levels: personally-mediated, internalized, and institutional.
Social Determinants of Health: Environmental conditions where people live, work, and learn affecting health outcomes — including housing, transportation, racism, education, income, nutrition, and literacy access.