Where Social Justice and Public Health Intersect

Never before has there been a generation as socially conscientious as the generation often referred to as millennials.

From ecological concerns to world hunger and healthcare, millennials recognize huge gaps in social justice here at home and around the globe and they want to do something about it. If you are looking for a career that will offer something of value to low income and minority peoples, you might want to think about getting a master in public health degree. This is where you’ll find the true intersection of social justice and public health. You can focus efforts on providing healthcare and health education to segments of the population that often fall through the cracks – minorities, women and children.

Redistribution of Vital Healthcare Services

When you begin to study for a masters in public health online or in a traditional classroom setting, you will begin to see the connection between social justice and public health. Social justice is all about the redistribution of opportunities, wealth and privileges so that everyone has fair and equitable access to such things as disease prevention and healthcare. Not only are third world nations lacking these vital social services but you will find that the United States also lacks adequate healthcare solutions even after the onset of the Affordable Care Act. The underprivileged still fall through these cracks and still lack the same type of care given to portions of the population that can pay for services.

Public Health is a Social Program

As a nation that prides itself on being a capitalistic country, many people probably aren’t able to comprehend the fact that we, too, have social programs. Public health is one that comes to mind and although the intent is to provide (redistribute) opportunities for better health and nutrition, those same people don’t equate that with social justice. The Affordable Care Act that President Obama fought so hard to get through Congress is seen by many as a feeble effort to provide healthcare options to those who have not had the wherewithal to afford health insurance. More people than ever before are now covered but critics say that coverage is insufficient and either more needs to be done or the ACA needs to be scrapped altogether.

As a Public Health Professional You Can Work Towards Change

Many public health jobs take place on a local level in public health clinics and through charitable organizations that serve the community. However, many more positions are to be found in global organizations such as WHO and even the CDC in Atlanta that works closely with the WHO on issues such as nutrition (world hunger), affordable/free healthcare and epidemiology (the study, control and prevention of diseases). Having completed the masters in public health program you can be an administrator who works closely with government officials to make social changes in matters of health.

This, then, is where social justice and public health intersect. The underlying philosophy in all social programs is that there are certain rights which all people have and one of the most important is access to healthcare and medicine. As an MPH professional you can further the cause and leave an indelible mark on global societies. In other words, there is no way to view public health outside the realm of social justice. Public health is a social concern and one that has a long way to go. Can you see where they intersect? If so, then you are right for the job.

Written by Guest Submitter

Photo by 401(K) 2013