HEALTH JUSTICE: A FRAMEWORK (AND CALL TO ACTION) FOR THE ELIMINATION OF HEALTH INEQUITY AND SOC IAL INJUSTICE

• Published in: The American University law review Vol. 65; no. 2; p. 275
• Main Author: Benfer, Emily A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington American University Law Review 01.11.2015
• Subjects: Decision making models; Health care expenditures; Health care industry; Health disparities; Inequality; Low income groups; Mortality; Poverty; Quality of life; Social justice; Social structure; Society; Socioeconomic factors; Stereotypes; Studies; United States > US
• ISSN: 0003-1453; 1943-5673

Every aspect of society is dependent upon the health of its members. Health is essential to an individual's well-being, quality of life, and ability to participate in society. Yet the healthcare industry, even at its optimal level of functioning, cannot improve the health of the population without addressing the root causes of poor health. The health of approximately 46.7 million individuals, most of whom are low-income and racial minorities, is threatened by economic, societal, cultural, environmental, and social conditions. Poor health in any population group affects everyone, leading to higher crime rates, negative economic impacts, decreased residential home values, increased healthcare costs, and other devastating consequences. Despite this fact, efforts to improve health among low-income and minority communities are impeded by inequitable social structures, stereotypes, legal systems, and regulatory schemes that are not designed to take into account the social determinants of health in decision making models and legal interpretation.