Perspective Chapter: Harnessing the Potential of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in Health – The Need for an Intersectional Approach

Abstract

In the wake of COVID-19 and other global crises, where inequities have been reinforced or are widening, organizations and institutions in the health field have increasingly taken up equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) policies. At the same time, the actual impact of EDI on inequities—particularly for those who experience intersecting forms of marginalization—is debated. This chapter provides an overview of how EDI has been defined and taken up in relation to the health field and identifies the strengths and limitations of these initiatives in working toward health equity, diversity, and inclusion. It then discusses the value-added of an intersectionality-informed approach in helping address these limitations to harness the socially transformative potential of EDI. We illustrate this through a case example that looks at ways to strengthen EDI in medical education, highlighting how intersectionality brings to the fore what is often overlooked, namely, critical reflection on power, explicit attention to systems and structures, and the prioritization of meaningful engagement with those most impacted by inequities. We aim to show the necessity and timeliness of bringing an intersectionality-informed approach to EDI in the health field in beyond, particularly amid growing debate and backlash on the importance of EDI.