Health and Social Justice

Health is an asset and a resource critical to human development that benefits society as a whole. But realizing health for all members of society is a matter of social justice, which depends on reducing social and economic inequality and increasing democracy.

Health and Social Justice draws on the growing body of recent literature to offer a comprehensive collection of articles written by a panel of expert contributors who represent a broad range of fields–sociology, epidemiology, public health, ecology, politics, organizing, and advocacy. Each article explores a particular aspect of health inequalities and demonstrates how the sources of health inequalities are rooted in injustices associated with racism, social class, and sex discrimination . This important book examines the political implications of various perspectives used to explain health inequities and explores alternative strategies for eliminating them. Health and Social Justice covers a broad spectrum of topics and

• Analyzes the politics of health inequities
• Shows how market values often dominate over collective needs for well-being
• Examines the politics of methodology and its implications for research and public policy
• Critiques the ideological implications of contemporary health promotion as a model for public health
• Reviews approaches that influence the social determinants of health
• Evaluates strategies drawn from the European experience, and others, aimed at eliminating health inequities
• Proposes principles for action and research
• Analyzes the role of the mass media in influencing the conceptualization of public health issues

Health and Social Justice is written for students, faculty, and public health professionals as well as social policymakers, sociologists, and others who are concerned with the increasing inequities in health status.