The path forward: Highlighting social justice pearls in public health campaigns and initiatives to deliver equitable healthy living medicine

• Published in: Progress in cardiovascular diseases Vol. 71; pp. 51 - 57
• Main Authors: Huizar, Martha I., Alman, Rocio, Arena, Ross, Laddu, Deepika R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.03.2022
• Subjects: Health equity; Health Literacy; Health Promotion; Healthy Lifestyle; Healthy living medicine; Humans; Public health; Social determinants of health; Social Justice; Socially just healthcare; Vulnerable Populations; CACFP; Social determinants of health; Health literacy; HL; IOM; Healthy living medicine; HLM; Health equity; HS; SDOH; HP 2030; QoL; COVID-19; WIC; EHS; LGBTQ; BIPOC; NAAL; CCDF; Socially just healthcare; US; Public health
• ISSN: 0033-0620; 1532-8643; 1873-1740
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2022.04.003

The prevalence of unhealthy living behaviors is largely driven by environments that support them and has become a key concern at global, national, and individual (patient) levels. Healthy Living Medicine offers a compelling path forward to move people towards healthy living behaviors and better health outcomes when complemented by socially just and equitable public campaigns and initiatives. Some of the concepts that are critical for these campaigns and initiatives that will be discussed in this manuscript include the social determinants of health, the communication loop, health literacy, and implicit bias and discrimination. Considering what is practical and achievable, examples of actionable, socially-just strategies will be described to inform and encourage health professionals and other stakeholders to prioritize healthy living and reverse the poor health trajectory among our most vulnerable populations.