Social Justice in medicine is the
idea that healthcare workers promote fair treatment in healthcare so that disparities are eliminated
. Providing students with the opportunity to explore social issues in health is the first step toward decreasing discrimination.
“Social justice is
the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities
. Social workers aim to open the doors of access and opportunity for everyone, particularly those in greatest need.” National Association of Social Workers. “Social justice encompasses economic justice.
In healthcare, the term social justice is generally defined as
the goodness guiding the development of institutions that are social in nature and provide access to beneficial services from the standpoint of health and wellness
.
Social justice is
fairness as it manifests in society
. That includes fairness in healthcare, employment, housing, and more. … Now, social justice applies to all aspects of society, including race and gender, and it is closely tied to human rights.
To be most effective, doctors should be formally trained in social justice and
advocacy skills to uproot and address the health inequities and the root causes of a broken health care system
. … Gross health inequities are not limited to third world countries; they are happening here in the United States and costly to all.
Social justice principles
work together to manage health inequities based on morbidity and mortality rates and cultural, social, economic and political factors
. For example, social justice principles are able to contribute to addressing health inequities for those living in rural and isolated areas.
Why Is Social Justice Important? Social justice
promotes fairness and equity across many aspects of society
. For example, it promotes equal economic, educational and workplace opportunities. It’s also important to the safety and security of individuals and communities.
1.
Voting rights
.
Exercising the right to vote
is one of the social justice issues prioritized by the National Association of Social Workers. NASW’s goal is twofold: encourage those who can vote to exercise their right and work to eliminate barriers to participation.
The five main principles of social justice include
access to resources, equity, participation, diversity, and human rights
.
Discrimination. Discrimination is a root of social injustice because
by its very nature it is unjust
. Discrimination is prejudice in action; it occurs when a person or group of people is treated unfairly compared to others.
- Poverty and Homelessness. Poverty and homelessness are worldwide problems. …
- Climate Change. A warmer, changing climate is a threat to the entire world. …
- Overpopulation. …
- Immigration Stresses. …
- Civil Rights and Racial Discrimination. …
- Gender Inequality. …
- Health Care Availability. …
- Childhood Obesity.
Social justice is the view that
everyone deserves to enjoy the same economic, political and social rights
, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender or other characteristics. Teaching social justice in the classroom is crucial for preparing young people to become responsible global citizens in the 21st century.
- Self Love and Knowledge. In this element it is crucial for students to learn about themselves. …
- Respect for Others: …
- Issues of Social Injustice: …
- Social Movements and Social Change: …
- Awareness Raising: …
- Social Action:
This involves: (1) working in multidisciplinary, inter-professional teams; (2)
understanding the role of physicians in health promotion
, assessing health policy, and health systems, providing culturally safe care, “thinking upstream prevention” to develop a social justice program; and (3) understanding the social …
What is the principle of justice in healthcare?
The justice principle states
that there should be fairness in all medical decisions
. For instance, patients deserve advanced health care delivery regardless of their situation. There have been numerous cases where patients fail to get the necessary treatment due to economic status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc.
The Bible makes social justice a
mandate of faith
and a fundamental expression of Christian discipleship. … From a scriptural point of view, justice means loving our neighbor as we love ourselves and is rooted in the character and nature of God. As God is just and loving, so we are called to do justice and live in love.
