1. Social Justice vs. Market Justice
Public health nurses are guided by the principles of market justice and social justice (Cornerstones of Public Health Nursing, MDH 2007). The economy of the United States has been shaped by the concept of market justice. Under this principle, people are entitled only to those things that they have acquired by their own individual efforts, actions, or abilities. The principle of social justice on the other hand is that the benefits of society should be fairly and equitably distributed to assure the functioning of society as a whole. Social justice reflects the belief that everyone should have the same access to societal resources and those societal resources should be used to provide the greatest good for the greatest number. Market justice reflects the belief that people deserve what they earn. At times, the principles of market justice and social justice are in conflict. Both perspectives have value. However, citizens do not necessarily agree with each other on which form of justice or set of beliefs should direct how health care is provided to the population as a whole. Review the Market Justice-Social Justice Table 13.4 (p. 257) and section on Market Justice vs. Social Justice (p. 256) in Schoon, Porta, & Schaffer (2019) to answer the following questions.
a. Which concept of justice is the best fit for you? Explain. No right or wrong answer. This is only an opportunity for reflection.
b. Pick either market or social justice and explain how advocating for that type of justice could improve the health of vulnerable populations and eliminate health disparities?
c. Why is it important for you to understand your beliefs around social justice?
2. The Color of Care Reflection
The Color of Care is a documentary
(produced by Harpo Productions with executive producer Oprah Winfrey, directed by OSCAR®-nominated and Emmy® award-winning director Yance Ford) that traces the origins of racial health disparities to practices that began during slavery in the U.S. and continue today. Using personal testimony, expert interviews, and disturbing data, the film reveals the impact of racism on health, serving as an urgent warning of what must be done to save lives. The information to access this documentary is in the D2L content area for this week.
a. Prior to watching the Color of Care, did you believe that all of your patients received equitable care? After watching the Color of Care, what changes would you make to how you provide care to patients?
b. What responsibility do public health nurses have in allowing clients and patients to be seen and heard?
c. In what ways do class and economic stability affect access to healthcare?
d. What can public health nurses do to influence change related to equitable care?
3. Health Equity & Health Disparities
a. Provide an actual example in which your local community has met/addressed a health equity or health disparity need within your community. What health concerns or social determinants were addressed? How did your community address this need? What population benefited from this initiative?
b. Identify a health equity or health disparity concern in your local community that still needs to be addressed. Describe at least 2 causes or social health determinants associated with this concern. What population is most vulnerable? What are potential long-term consequences for the vulnerable population if this concern is not addressed? Describe an example of a community or systems level of practice public health intervention to address this public health concern.
