Achieving health equity
Will you support Occupational Therapy Week 2021 in its aim to continue discussions around the role that occupational therapists can play in achieving health equity in the UK ?
This year ’ s Occupational Therapy Week , taking place on 1 to 7 November 2021 , will see the launch of the Royal College ’ s campaign # OTsForEquity .
Throughout the week , we will be shining the light on the role that occupational therapists currently play in addressing health equity and working with you to identify what support and tools you need , so that you can do even more in the future .
We will also be calling on governments , healthcare leaders and commissioners in all four nations to provide a long-term strategy , including more resources and funding for occupational therapists .
Health equity means fair opportunity to live a long , healthy life . Inequities in health are not inevitable or necessary , they are unjust and are the product of unfair social , economic and political arrangements .
The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on the increase in health inequalities across the UK . While in theory , everyone in the UK has the same access to health care , in reality the causes of ill health are very different depending on where you live , your socioeconomic class and your ethnicity .
The pandemic has highlighted how poverty , deprivation , employment and housing are closely related to health and mortality .
As the UK recovers and rebuilds from the pandemic , RCOT wants to spearhead a drive to
create a healthier , more resilient society . This can only be achieved through tackling the root causes of poor health and health inequality . We need to work towards a fairer distribution of health , and occupational therapists have the skills to play a key role in making this happen .
We want you to work with us to raise the profile of the brilliant work that you already do to address health equity , so that more people understand the key role that occupational therapists play .
You will also be able to get involved in the start of co-creating a plan for future action in a variety of ways , including through an online platform and discussions . This will help us identify what support and tools you need to make even more of a difference in future .
Following on the success of last year ’ s campaign , digital resources will be provided to help you create a buzz on social media . You will also be provided with online tools to facilitate discussions about health equity with your colleagues and fellow learners , which will contribute to your continuing professional development . These will be available on the website later this month .
We will also be putting more pressure on governments , healthcare leaders and commissioners in all four nations to take action ; Occupational Therapy Week will be just the start of # OTsForEquity , the ongoing campaign for health equity .
14 OTnews October 2021