Introduction
The concept of equity is central to the mission of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is a critical consideration for practitioners in the field of speech-language pathology. The recent scoping review by Amri et al. (2021) highlights ambiguities and contradictions in the WHO's equity discourses, urging a reevaluation of these concepts. As practitioners dedicated to improving outcomes for children, it is essential to understand these discourses and integrate them into our practice.
Key Findings from the Scoping Review
The review identifies that the WHO's approach to equity has been ambiguous and sometimes contradictory, rooted in different theories of social justice. The WHO's historical focus has often been on measuring health inequalities between individuals rather than groups, which may overlook systemic injustices. The authors suggest that aligning the WHO's work with Amartya Sen's Capabilities Approach could provide a more comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing health inequities.
Implications for Speech-Language Pathology
For practitioners in speech-language pathology, these findings have significant implications:
- Holistic Assessment: Incorporate a holistic view of the child's environment, considering social determinants that may impact their communication abilities.
- Individualized Interventions: Tailor interventions to address not only the communication disorder but also the broader social and environmental factors affecting the child.
- Advocacy: Advocate for policies and practices that address systemic inequities and promote access to speech-language services for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Encouraging Further Research
The review underscores the need for further empirical research to explore how the WHO's equity discourses can be operationalized in different contexts, including speech-language pathology. Practitioners are encouraged to engage in research that examines the impact of social determinants on communication disorders and the effectiveness of interventions that incorporate equity-focused frameworks.
Conclusion
Understanding and implementing equity discourses in speech-language pathology is crucial for creating positive outcomes for children. By aligning our practices with comprehensive frameworks like the Capabilities Approach, we can better address the needs of diverse populations and contribute to the broader goal of health equity.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Scoping review of the World Health Organization’s underlying equity discourses: apparent ambiguities, inadequacy, and contradictions.
