Justice in Health

This chapter provides an overview and global introduction to the content. In the introduction, understanding of core concepts of public health, equity, justice, and health is established. This chapter centers on unpacking the meaning of health, how health is understood and misunderstood, and most importantly how health is created. Its impact in producing outcomes across the determinants of health are examined across an ecological spectrum of the populations, communities, and the system of care. The conceptual exploration of just health and what the creation of a more just system of health means is introduced and situated in relation to our society and why health matters.

Chapter Two: Contextualizing and Situating Race and Health in the United States

This chapter explores the historical role of nursing within social justice movements. Key figures whose work formed the foundation of nursing practice in social justice and advocacy are accentuated. The roots of nursing practice are critically examined to shed light on where nursing practice is now and where it needs to be in the future. This discussion is contextualized within the current climate of health care, health needs, and governmental mandates that point to the future of health care. The role of the nurse in shaping the future of nursing and the future of health care is at the heart of this chapter's discussion. It pulls in current and relevant call-to-action reports such as the future of nursing, nursing 2020, and beyond; healthy people 2030; and the year of the nurse to inform the discussion. Specific conclusions about the role of the nurse, relevant competencies now and in the future are presented based on the culmination of these areas.

Chapter Three: Frameworks for Framing Justice in Health

This chapter is deeply philosophical and driven by the introduction and exploration of key theories most critical to meet the health and well-being challenges we face as a nation. Highlighted are discussions of critical theories and perspectives that include but are not limited to Feminist Theory and Intersectionality, Post-colonial and Emancipatory Inquiry, Social Justice, Structural Violence, and Structural Justice. Discussion about the social determinants of health is at the forefront to help introduce the reader to contextual causes that determine health guided by these various theoretical perspectives. This chapter serves to synthesize structural and root causes through exposing the hidden realities of power, privilege, and social identity.

Chapter Four: Health Equity and Critical Health Issues

This chapter dives into exposing critical root causes that perpetuate health disparities such as race, poverty, mass and youth incarceration, violence against women including intimate partner violence, and human trafficking. It also examines issues that determine health such as access to care, food, housing, transportation, and insurance. Beyond identification of these issues, this chapter makes the connection to earlier perspectives discussed in Chapter 3 to extend and situate health in relation to structural drivers and causes. It is connecting the dots beyond the healthcare system that lead to a deepening of understanding of how health happens across disparate populations and in aggregate populations. It also begins to frame what a health equity systems approach could look like and what must be considered.

Chapter Five: Culture of Health

This chapter starts to explore how to create a healthcare system without walls. This chapter reframes the current beliefs of what a healthcare system is toward what it can be within the concept of building a system of care without walls. A healthcare system without walls is discussed by identifying structural obstacles and gaps wi