Despite overall health improvement over a few decades, health inequalities seem to be worsening, which calls for alternative health policies to consider health equity as their major agenda. However, yet much has been not discussed over justification of alleviating health inequalities, principles in program/policy planning, and modalities for delivery.
Health equity policies are defined as all policies and programs to be implemented for preventing, alleviating and eliminating health inequalities. They are required for practical as well as normative reasons. Conventional health programs solely cannot tackle health inequalities and the followings are required; 1) healthy public policies and inter-sectoral cooperation; 2) multi-level approach; 3) area-based strategies; 4) life-course approach ; 5) consideration for participation, empowerment, and social contexts; 6) monitoring, management, and evaluation of policies and programs through an equity lense. Further research and policy/programs for health equity should be followed in Korea. In addition, key principles and appropriate approach based on the best available evidence should be applied in planning and implementing policies and programs.