Which practice helps ensure policies do not widen health inequities in populations?

• A. Routine cost-minimization analysis
• B. Health equity impact assessment (HEIA)
• C. Implementing without stakeholder input
• D. Restricting data collection

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is how to prevent policies from widening health inequities by evaluating their potential effects on different groups before they are put into practice.

Health equity impact assessment is a structured way to look at who might benefit or be harmed by a policy, program, or service, and how benefits and burdens could be distributed across groups such as by income, race/ethnicity, gender, age, disability, or location. It uses data, stakeholder input, and consideration of possible unintended consequences to shape policy design, allocate resources more fairly, and plan monitoring to protect or improve equity.

This approach is best because it explicitly centers equity in decision-making, enabling adjustments to policy design, implementation, or accompanying supports so that disadvantages aren’t amplified and disparities are reduced.

Routine cost-minimization analysis, in contrast, focuses on costs and efficiency and doesn’t systematically address who gains or loses. Implementing without stakeholder input misses essential perspectives from communities that could reveal equity concerns. Restricting data collection makes it harder to see how different groups are affected and to take corrective action.