Socio-economic health inequalities through the lens of social justice theory, an innovative perspective
Background: Socioeconomic health inequalities, characterized by avoidable, systematic, and unfair differences in health between social groups based on socioeconomic disparities, persist in Western countries despite extensive efforts. This situation prompts a critical examination of current public he...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Public Health in Practice |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666535225000497 |
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| author | Jantien van Berkel Michèlle Bal |
| author_facet | Jantien van Berkel Michèlle Bal |
| author_sort | Jantien van Berkel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Socioeconomic health inequalities, characterized by avoidable, systematic, and unfair differences in health between social groups based on socioeconomic disparities, persist in Western countries despite extensive efforts. This situation prompts a critical examination of current public health interventions. While individual-focused approaches emphasize behavioral strategies to address avoidable factors, and systems approaches target systematic causes, there remains a significant gap in addressing one crucial aspect of health inequalities: their inherent unfairness. Study design: In this contribution, we conduct a theoretical exemplification. Methods: Distributive, procedural, and recognitive justice theory has been employed as critical lens to analyze public health interventions and policies. Results: Distributive justice focuses on the fairness of outcomes and is recognizable in the (re)distribution of resources such as food aid. However, if redistribution comes with stigma attached, it still fails to address fairness in full, which can hamper uptake. Procedural justice focuses on the fairness of the process leading up to certain outcomes. Stakeholder engagement in policy development is an example, but avoiding tokenism is key for truly reducing unfairness. Finally, recognitive justice emphasizes recognition, human dignity and equal social participation. It might be most elusive to ‘catch’ in policy but is also most crucial to address unfairness completely. Conclusions: Integrating social justice theory into public health strategies promotes fairness and contributes to of the reduction of health inequalities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-404a831002d04d0c90359514ff85515e |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2666-5352 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Public Health in Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-404a831002d04d0c90359514ff85515e2025-08-20T02:44:49ZengElsevierPublic Health in Practice2666-53522025-12-011010063010.1016/j.puhip.2025.100630Socio-economic health inequalities through the lens of social justice theory, an innovative perspectiveJantien van Berkel0Michèlle Bal1Corresponding author.; Utrecht University, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science, Chair Group Public Health, P.O. box 80140, 3508 TC, Utrecht, the NetherlandsUtrecht University, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science, Chair Group Public Health, P.O. box 80140, 3508 TC, Utrecht, the NetherlandsBackground: Socioeconomic health inequalities, characterized by avoidable, systematic, and unfair differences in health between social groups based on socioeconomic disparities, persist in Western countries despite extensive efforts. This situation prompts a critical examination of current public health interventions. While individual-focused approaches emphasize behavioral strategies to address avoidable factors, and systems approaches target systematic causes, there remains a significant gap in addressing one crucial aspect of health inequalities: their inherent unfairness. Study design: In this contribution, we conduct a theoretical exemplification. Methods: Distributive, procedural, and recognitive justice theory has been employed as critical lens to analyze public health interventions and policies. Results: Distributive justice focuses on the fairness of outcomes and is recognizable in the (re)distribution of resources such as food aid. However, if redistribution comes with stigma attached, it still fails to address fairness in full, which can hamper uptake. Procedural justice focuses on the fairness of the process leading up to certain outcomes. Stakeholder engagement in policy development is an example, but avoiding tokenism is key for truly reducing unfairness. Finally, recognitive justice emphasizes recognition, human dignity and equal social participation. It might be most elusive to ‘catch’ in policy but is also most crucial to address unfairness completely. Conclusions: Integrating social justice theory into public health strategies promotes fairness and contributes to of the reduction of health inequalities.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666535225000497Health inequalitiesHealth promotionInequalities |
| spellingShingle | Jantien van Berkel Michèlle Bal Socio-economic health inequalities through the lens of social justice theory, an innovative perspective Public Health in Practice Health inequalities Health promotion Inequalities |
| title | Socio-economic health inequalities through the lens of social justice theory, an innovative perspective |
| title_full | Socio-economic health inequalities through the lens of social justice theory, an innovative perspective |
| title_fullStr | Socio-economic health inequalities through the lens of social justice theory, an innovative perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | Socio-economic health inequalities through the lens of social justice theory, an innovative perspective |
| title_short | Socio-economic health inequalities through the lens of social justice theory, an innovative perspective |
| title_sort | socio economic health inequalities through the lens of social justice theory an innovative perspective |
| topic | Health inequalities Health promotion Inequalities |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666535225000497 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jantienvanberkel socioeconomichealthinequalitiesthroughthelensofsocialjusticetheoryaninnovativeperspective AT michellebal socioeconomichealthinequalitiesthroughthelensofsocialjusticetheoryaninnovativeperspective |