Health Equity in Prison Settings
Improving Access to Preventive Care for Underserved Populations
Health equity means ensuring that everyone has a fair opportunity to achieve good health, regardless of their social or economic situation. People living in prison are among the most underserved populations in Europe, often experiencing poorer health outcomes due to barriers that existed long before incarceration.
At Prison Health, we work to reduce these inequalities by improving access to preventive care in detention settings, where intervention can have a lasting impact on individual and public health.
Why Health Equity Matters
People in detention frequently come from backgrounds marked by poverty, unstable housing, limited access to healthcare, and social exclusion. As a result, preventable conditions often go untreated, and opportunities for early intervention are missed.
Promoting health equity in prisons is not only a matter of justice — it is an essential component of effective public health policy. When prevention reaches those most at risk, health systems become stronger and more sustainable.
Barriers to Preventive Care
Underserved populations face multiple obstacles to prevention, including:
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Limited access to primary healthcare before detention
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Low health literacy and lack of tailored information
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Interrupted care pathways and missing medical records
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Stigma and mistrust of health services
Prison health services offer a rare chance to remove these barriers and re-establish access to essential preventive care.
Our Approach to Improving Access
We focus on practical, person-centered solutions that make prevention accessible and meaningful within prison environments. Our work includes:
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Health assessments and early detection programs
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Access to vaccinations, screening, and preventive services
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Clear communication adapted to different cultural and social backgrounds
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Coordination between prison health services and community healthcare systems
This approach ensures that care does not stop at the prison gate.
Prevention as a Tool for Equity
Preventive care is one of the most effective ways to reduce long-term health inequalities. By prioritising prevention in underserved populations, we help reduce the burden of chronic disease, improve quality of life, and support healthier reintegration into society.
Equitable prevention benefits individuals today and strengthens public health for the future.
Continuity of Care Beyond Detention
Most people in prison will eventually return to the community. Ensuring continuity of care — including referrals, medical records, and follow-up services — is essential to maintaining health gains achieved during detention.
Bridging prison and community health systems is a key step toward true health equity.
A Human Rights–Based Perspective
Access to healthcare is a fundamental human right. Providing preventive care in prison settings affirms dignity, respect, and equal treatment for all individuals, regardless of their legal status.
Health equity in detention is not about special treatment — it is about equal opportunity for health.
Our Commitment
We are committed to building inclusive prevention models that leave no one behind. By addressing the needs of underserved populations in prisons, we contribute to fairer health systems and healthier societies across Europe.
Learn More or Collaborate
If you are a healthcare provider, policymaker, or organisation working toward more equitable health systems, we invite you to connect with us. Together, we can turn prevention into an opportunity for equity.
