SOCIAL JUSTICE

Gloria Mace

Fairness in opportunities and equal distribution of benefits refer to social justice (American Nurses Association, 2020). To me, it means all persons are treated equally, regardless of differences among populations. It is not the same thing as socialized medicine or communism. These terms refer to specific governmental systems of providing healthcare or economic resources. Social justice is an ethical principle that guides the delivery of healthcare services in a way that seeks to address social inequalities and promote health equity (Browne et al., 2016). It is grounded in the notion that everyone deserves access to the same high-quality healthcare services, regardless of socioeconomic status or other demographic characteristics.

The fairness of the US healthcare system has been a source of ongoing debate among healthcare providers, policy-makers, and the general public. The US healthcare system is among the most technologically advanced in the world, and many individuals enjoy access to high-quality care. On the other hand, there are significant disparities in health and healthcare outcomes, with many individuals lacking access to basic care. 

If I could wave a magic wand and fix the healthcare system, the first thing I would change is a marked reduction in healthcare disparities. In a system characterized by social justice, all individuals would have access to the same high-quality care, regardless of their race, gender, socioeconomic status, or other demographic factors. Healthcare providers would be trained to work effectively with a variety of populations and to address the social determinants of health that contribute to health inequalities. Policies would be in place to ensure that healthcare services are delivered efficiently and cost-effectively without compromising on quality or safety.

All persons should have equal access to quality healthcare. As Nurses, we have a duty not only to our patients but to the future of healthcare. Healthcare equality is enhanced through our integrity and advocacy for our patient's best interests. 

 

References

American Nurses Association. (2020, August 4).  Nurses stand to uphold human dignity as coronavirus cases continue to rise across the nation. American Nurses Association. https://www.nursingworld.org/news/news-releases/2020/the-american-academy-of-nursing-and-the-american-nurses-association-call-for-social-justice-to-address-racism-and-health-equity-in-communities-of-color/

 

Browne, A. J., Varcoe, C., Lavoie, J., Smye, V., Wong, S. T., Krause, M., Tu, D., Godwin, O., Khan, K., & Fridkin, A. (2016). Enhancing health care equity with indigenous populations: Evidence-based strategies from an ethnographic study.  BMC Health Services Research,  16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1707-9