| Abstract: |
This chapter aims to summarise the background literature on inequalities in palliative care as they relate to broader health and social care considerations; offer a principle-based approach to promoting equity across the serious illness continuum; and identify steps towards inclusive palliative care for several historically excluded and at-risk groups. Perhaps the best way of understanding and tackling inequalities is to first focus on a set of principles that encapsulate the best in palliative care and to explore situations in every day service where these principles have been compromised. The International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care sought to update and improve the 2002 World Health Organisation definition of palliative care through a consensus-based approach, embedding choice, equality, and diversity and engaging the expertise of experts from countries of all income levels. © 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. |
