Health equity is perhaps one of the greatest issues of our time, and an issue that spans across economy, race, age, ability, and geography. Facing this issue head-on are nurses, who are incredibly well-positioned as the connective tissue between people and healthcare systems to address social determinants of health that chip away at people's well-being, quality of life, and longevity.

Nurse scientists who study social determinants of health are in every space: improving access among women with disabilities to family planning and reproductive care; ensuring healthcare access for those who experience violence at the hands of an intimate partner; connecting older residents with lifestyle choices and changes to improve symptoms associated with older age and chronic disease; and populations that are marginalized, vulnerable, and often ignored.