Health inequity and community health promotion - Comparison of national health promotion plans -

Objectives: This study aims to examine the health equity perspective of the Health Plan 2020 with a particular focus on community health strategies. Methods: A literature review was performed on a total of six national or international plans for health equity and promotion, including the Health Plan 2020 of Korea. The review focused on the following points: 1) definition, 2) health promotion objectives for health equity, 3) evaluation of health equity, and 4) community-level strategies for health equity. Results: The Health Plan 2020 aims to enhance health equity overall for social justice and fair opportunities, but its objectives to achieve health equity are non-specific. Subsequently, its plans for implementation for and evaluation of health equity are vague. Lack of specificity is also found in the role of communities for health equity. Conclusions: Community health promotion to improve social determinants of health requires comprehensive efforts and capacities of communities as people, place, and system. A shared societal value of health equity is fundamental for such comprehensive health promotion, established by advocacy, social marketing, and intersectoral, interdisciplinary collaboration.