Addressing health inequities unlocks major benefits, not just for individuals and groups, but for our healthcare system as a whole. By exploring the root causes of the health gap – historical biases in research, systemic underfunding, cultural, gender and societal barriers – we will illustrate what these inequities cost on both a micro and macro scale from a health, economic, educational and innovation perspective. We will share new approaches that key healthcare stakeholders are undertaking to address inequities and discuss the role others must play to drive real, achievable change.