Promoting equity in health and health care means targeting care improvements to people most structurally disadvantaged – by poverty, racism and other forms of discrimination and stigma. Doing so requires trauma- and violence-informed care (TVIC) approaches because people who are structurally disadvantaged experience high levels of violence and trauma. This, in turn, requires culturally safe approaches because racism and trauma are intertwined. Further, as racism is often coupled with substance use stigma, and violence with heavy substance use, TVIC, Cultural Safety and efforts to reduce substance use stigma are necessary to promoting equity. How health care providers approach people, including what they say and how (both verbally, non-verbally and on forms and signs) can increase comfort and confidence with healthcare, reduce stigma and enhance care experiences for both providers and those they serve. This session will focus on shifts in language and practice that can powerfully improve care, and the organizational conditions that can support equity.