What best describes vertical equity in healthcare?

Vertical equity in healthcare refers to the principle that individuals with different levels of health needs should receive different amounts of care to achieve similar health outcomes. This approach recognizes that some groups may require additional resources or services due to their specific health challenges or circumstances. By addressing the unique needs of these groups, vertical equity aims to level the playing field, ensuring that people not only have access to care but also receive the appropriate level of support they require to improve their health.

For instance, individuals with chronic illnesses or those from disadvantaged backgrounds may need more intensive or specialized services compared to the average population. Therefore, by focusing on providing specific services for these groups, healthcare systems can work towards reducing health disparities and promoting overall equity within the community. This is in contrast to treating all individuals equally, which may not effectively address the varying levels of need within the population.