Employing the equity lens to understand multisectoral partnerships: lessons learned from a mixed-method study in Canada
Abstract Background Multisectoral approaches to health are collaborations between stakeholders across multiple sectors, usually formed to address issues that affect health but go beyond the purview of one particular sector. The significance of multisectoral partnerships to attain health equity has b...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-09-01
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| Series: | International Journal for Equity in Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-022-01746-w |
| _version_ | 1811236385275772928 |
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| author | Suvadra Datta Gupta Vaidehi Pisolkar Jacob Albin Korem Alhassan Allap Judge Rachel Engler-Stringer Lise Gauvin Nazeem Muhajarine |
| author_facet | Suvadra Datta Gupta Vaidehi Pisolkar Jacob Albin Korem Alhassan Allap Judge Rachel Engler-Stringer Lise Gauvin Nazeem Muhajarine |
| author_sort | Suvadra Datta Gupta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Multisectoral approaches to health are collaborations between stakeholders across multiple sectors, usually formed to address issues that affect health but go beyond the purview of one particular sector. The significance of multisectoral partnerships to attain health equity has been widely acknowledged. However, the extent which equity can be attained depends upon the perceptions of various stakeholders. We examine how multisectoral partnerships promoting healthy eating and active living conceptualized and employed an equity lens in their work. Method This study is part of a larger pan-Canadian mixed-method research and knowledge sharing program entitled MUSE (Multisectoral Urban Systems for health and Equity in Canadian cities). Data collected from both quantitative and qualitative sources for two sites of the MUSE project-Saskatoon and Toronto were analyzed. In the qualitative part, 30 semi-structured key informant interviews were conducted with key stakeholders from six different multisectoral partnerships based in Saskatoon and Toronto. Data were analyzed in an inductive way. In the quantitative part, a survey with 37 representatives of stakeholder organizations was carried out. Simple descriptive statistics (means and percentages) were used to observe the distribution of data and to complement the qualitative analysis. Results Equity was not a central component in program design although participants addressing equity, did so by discussing accessibility. How much consideration was given to equity varied as a function of the type of partnership. Most participants emphasized geographical accessibility but a few mentioned financial accessibility. Collaborative leadership style facilitated a participatory decision-making process, and thereby upholding equity in the partnership decision-making process. Communication, networking, and negotiation skills were found to be core competencies of a leader that contributed in upholding equity in partnership dynamics. The study also showed some challenges to embed equity in partnership works, such as the lack of comprehensive understanding of population health and its equity tenet. Conclusions Findings indicate that multisectoral partnerships aimed at promoting healthy eating and physical activity experience several challenges to attain equity within the partnership as well as in the partnership-based works aimed at reducing health equity in populations. Factors identified can support decision makers commit to and work to attaining equity within their partnerships as well as in the partnership-based work in the community and beyond. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T12:09:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b1905090b0854abdbaccad70c5dcff8e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-9276 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T12:09:21Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal for Equity in Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-b1905090b0854abdbaccad70c5dcff8e2022-12-22T03:33:38ZengBMCInternational Journal for Equity in Health1475-92762022-09-0121111110.1186/s12939-022-01746-wEmploying the equity lens to understand multisectoral partnerships: lessons learned from a mixed-method study in CanadaSuvadra Datta Gupta0Vaidehi Pisolkar1Jacob Albin Korem Alhassan2Allap Judge3Rachel Engler-Stringer4Lise Gauvin5Nazeem Muhajarine6Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, University of SaskatchewanDepartment of Community Health and Epidemiology, University of SaskatchewanDepartment of Community Health and Epidemiology, University of SaskatchewanSaskatchewan Population Health Evaluation and Research Unit (SPHERU), University of SaskatchewanDepartment of Community Health and Epidemiology, University of SaskatchewanDepartment of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université de Montréal, & Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de L’Université de MontréalDepartment of Community Health and Epidemiology, University of SaskatchewanAbstract Background Multisectoral approaches to health are collaborations between stakeholders across multiple sectors, usually formed to address issues that affect health but go beyond the purview of one particular sector. The significance of multisectoral partnerships to attain health equity has been widely acknowledged. However, the extent which equity can be attained depends upon the perceptions of various stakeholders. We examine how multisectoral partnerships promoting healthy eating and active living conceptualized and employed an equity lens in their work. Method This study is part of a larger pan-Canadian mixed-method research and knowledge sharing program entitled MUSE (Multisectoral Urban Systems for health and Equity in Canadian cities). Data collected from both quantitative and qualitative sources for two sites of the MUSE project-Saskatoon and Toronto were analyzed. In the qualitative part, 30 semi-structured key informant interviews were conducted with key stakeholders from six different multisectoral partnerships based in Saskatoon and Toronto. Data were analyzed in an inductive way. In the quantitative part, a survey with 37 representatives of stakeholder organizations was carried out. Simple descriptive statistics (means and percentages) were used to observe the distribution of data and to complement the qualitative analysis. Results Equity was not a central component in program design although participants addressing equity, did so by discussing accessibility. How much consideration was given to equity varied as a function of the type of partnership. Most participants emphasized geographical accessibility but a few mentioned financial accessibility. Collaborative leadership style facilitated a participatory decision-making process, and thereby upholding equity in the partnership decision-making process. Communication, networking, and negotiation skills were found to be core competencies of a leader that contributed in upholding equity in partnership dynamics. The study also showed some challenges to embed equity in partnership works, such as the lack of comprehensive understanding of population health and its equity tenet. Conclusions Findings indicate that multisectoral partnerships aimed at promoting healthy eating and physical activity experience several challenges to attain equity within the partnership as well as in the partnership-based works aimed at reducing health equity in populations. Factors identified can support decision makers commit to and work to attaining equity within their partnerships as well as in the partnership-based work in the community and beyond.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-022-01746-wEquityHealth equityMultisectoral partnerships |
| spellingShingle | Suvadra Datta Gupta Vaidehi Pisolkar Jacob Albin Korem Alhassan Allap Judge Rachel Engler-Stringer Lise Gauvin Nazeem Muhajarine Employing the equity lens to understand multisectoral partnerships: lessons learned from a mixed-method study in Canada International Journal for Equity in Health Equity Health equity Multisectoral partnerships |
| title | Employing the equity lens to understand multisectoral partnerships: lessons learned from a mixed-method study in Canada |
| title_full | Employing the equity lens to understand multisectoral partnerships: lessons learned from a mixed-method study in Canada |
| title_fullStr | Employing the equity lens to understand multisectoral partnerships: lessons learned from a mixed-method study in Canada |
| title_full_unstemmed | Employing the equity lens to understand multisectoral partnerships: lessons learned from a mixed-method study in Canada |
| title_short | Employing the equity lens to understand multisectoral partnerships: lessons learned from a mixed-method study in Canada |
| title_sort | employing the equity lens to understand multisectoral partnerships lessons learned from a mixed method study in canada |
| topic | Equity Health equity Multisectoral partnerships |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-022-01746-w |
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