1
PNUR TEST #2 - Lecture Notes on Social Justice
and Nursing Practices Practical Nrsg. Prof. Growth 1
1. Define and discuss Social Justice, and the relationship between social action and charity in promoting
healthier populations.
Social justice:
● is based on the principles of equity (giving someone what they need to succeed ie.
accommodations), equality (treated equally), and respect for human rights.
● In health care, the focus of social justice is the allocation of healthcare resources and equal access
to these resources.
Social Justice: fair distribution of resources and responsibilities among the members of a population,
with a focus on “the relative position of one social group in relation to others in society.”
Social Action: Once inequities are identified, we should work to find solutions. The actions that we take
to solve the inequities and inequalities in our society are considered social actions.
➢ Finding a way to create long-term solutions/improve disparity **teach them so that the solution
becomes long-term and they are not dependent.
Charity: Many of us understand the concept of charity. However, did you consider that charity is giving
to others… keeps the recipient (the side at a disadvantage) dependant on the giver.
➔ The relationship between social action and charity in promoting healthier populations is when we
discover the inequalities of the situation.
➔ We can take action to correct them to ensure that equal treatment and resources are provided.
When these are provided to communities that do not usually receive the best healthcare, this is
bettering their lives and promoting healthier lifestyles.
➔ Short-term solutions (example: religious groups/ food and shelter) the people we are helping
become dependent.
How to improve charity so it becomes social actions: helping people to be able to give them
independence.
2. Identify the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) “10 Attributes of Social Justice.”
Why did CNA create this document? → nurses need to treat people with equality, equity, and respect
their human rights. (Everyone should have the same access to equal health care)
How do they work together?
They create social action and they get rid of the problem in total (did they not have a good education to
get the job? Is their mental state a factor? → must take everything into consideration)
, 2
Attributes Definition
1. Equity (including health - Equal opportunity for all, fair and just treatment, involves access to health in order for all to
care equity) reach their health and needs potential.
- Needs to be more central in the conceptualization of social justice, and that most (if not all) of
, 3
the other nine attributes are in fact proxies for - or representations of -equity and responsible
action toward a more equitable society (fairness in how people are treated for and what types of
health care they receive).
2. Human Rights (including - Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
the right to health) - If found, they might indicate that individuals and social groups are valued more equitably in
society.
BACKGROUND
● Early childhood
● Access to education
● The nature of employers
● Social inclusion
● The quality of the built and natural environment in which people reside
3. Democracy and Civil - Distribution of equal power and rights, no ranking or privileges.
Rights - Spoke to societal structures and systems that serve to create or sustain unfair differences.
4. Capacity Building - Strengthening the individual with core skills, capabilities, insight, knowledge, and experience
through means such as training, education, & social networking.
- If found, they might indicate that individuals and social groups are valued more equitably in
society **how do I provide the basics to somebody who doesn’t have equal healthcare (social
action vs. social action)
5. Just Institutions - Fair institutional practices, equitable hiring policies
- Fair or equitable institutions and thus could be considered under the equity attribute
6. Enabling Environments - Supporting positive physical, social, political situations, policy development, and community
empowerment.
- Spoke to societal structures and systems that serve to create or sustain unfair differences.
7. Poverty Reduction - Reduce poverty and increase the overall standard of living, increase participation of the poor in
social and political life.
- The root causes of inequities
8. Ethical Practice - Abide by the Code of Ethics for nurses.
- Being in accordance with the rules and regulations of practice (the rights and wrongs).
9. Advocacy - Active pursuit of support for the rights of a person, including oneself.
- Reflected the need for responsible action to reduce unnecessary differences or inequities.
10. Partnerships - Sharing of rights, roles, and responsibilities among institutions, individuals, private, public,
government, education, community, or non-governmental organizations.
- If found, they might indicate that individuals and social groups are valued more equitably in
society.
3. Identify the Social Determinant of Health.
The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. These circumstances are shaped by
the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national, and local levels (primary factors
behind health inequities).
, 4
Social Determinants of Health Explanation
Income and Social Status (income - The greatest determinant of health
distribution) - Influences most other determinants such as food security, and housing.
- Income and social status shapes overall living conditions, psychological functioning, and
influences health-related behaviors.
Social Support Networks - Social relationships are important to health, social support is linked with positive outcomes,
whereas social isolation, exclusion, and lack of supportive relationships increase stress, and
vulnerability to diseases directly and indirectly.
Education and Literacy (including - People with higher education tend to be healthier than those without.
health literacy)
Employment and working - People spend a lot of time in their workplaces, so working conditions can affect the health
conditions (unemployment and and safety of others.
employment security) - Those with lower education and lower incomes are more likely to experience adverse
working conditions.
- Unemployment is linked to material and social deprivations, adoption of health-threatening
coping behaviors, psychological stress, and physical and mental health problems.
Physical Environment (Geography, - Poor housing, or homelessness, are threats to health. Living in unsafe, unaffordable, or
housing, and food security) insecure housing increases many health problems.
- Food insecurity is being unable to have and/or access an adequate diet, either quality or
quantity, and is significantly associated with multiple chronic conditions, distress, and
depression.
- Geography includes geographic conditions that may limit access to health care or social
support. Also the environment, including clean water, clean air, food, and soil impacts health.
Biological and Genetic Endowment - Heredity is strongly influenced by social and physical environments.
- Age is also a strong determinant of health but needs to be considered in context with the
other determinants such as socio-economic status, social support, and individual health
practices.
Individual Health Practices and - Effective coping skills help people face challenges without restoring to risk behaviors.
Coping Skills - Risk behaviors include physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use.
Health Child Development (Early - Early childhood experiences and education have long-lasting biological, psychological, and
Life) social effects on lifelong health.
Health Services (health care - Access to high-quality health care services.
services) - In Ontario, we have OHIP which is part of universal health care in Canada, does this mean
everyone has equitable access.
Gender - Many times individuals consider gender as only male and female but this thinking is
discriminatory.
Culture (Immigrant status, race, - The health of immigrants and refugees is also affected by their experiences in their country
Indigenous Ancestry) of origin (i.e. violence, economic insecurity).
- Race impacts a whole range of adverse circumstances that threaten the health and well-being
of many Canadians associated with their race.
- Indigenous status: Indigenous people’s health is tied with their history of colonization.
Social Environments (social safety - Social Safety Net is the range of benefits, programs, and supports that protect citizens during
net, social exclusion, and disability) their life, this includes governmental social support, community social support, absence of
PNUR TEST #2 - Lecture Notes on Social Justice
and Nursing Practices Practical Nrsg. Prof. Growth 1
1. Define and discuss Social Justice, and the relationship between social action and charity in promoting
healthier populations.
Social justice:
● is based on the principles of equity (giving someone what they need to succeed ie.
accommodations), equality (treated equally), and respect for human rights.
● In health care, the focus of social justice is the allocation of healthcare resources and equal access
to these resources.
Social Justice: fair distribution of resources and responsibilities among the members of a population,
with a focus on “the relative position of one social group in relation to others in society.”
Social Action: Once inequities are identified, we should work to find solutions. The actions that we take
to solve the inequities and inequalities in our society are considered social actions.
➢ Finding a way to create long-term solutions/improve disparity **teach them so that the solution
becomes long-term and they are not dependent.
Charity: Many of us understand the concept of charity. However, did you consider that charity is giving
to others… keeps the recipient (the side at a disadvantage) dependant on the giver.
➔ The relationship between social action and charity in promoting healthier populations is when we
discover the inequalities of the situation.
➔ We can take action to correct them to ensure that equal treatment and resources are provided.
When these are provided to communities that do not usually receive the best healthcare, this is
bettering their lives and promoting healthier lifestyles.
➔ Short-term solutions (example: religious groups/ food and shelter) the people we are helping
become dependent.
How to improve charity so it becomes social actions: helping people to be able to give them
independence.
2. Identify the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) “10 Attributes of Social Justice.”
Why did CNA create this document? → nurses need to treat people with equality, equity, and respect
their human rights. (Everyone should have the same access to equal health care)
How do they work together?
They create social action and they get rid of the problem in total (did they not have a good education to
get the job? Is their mental state a factor? → must take everything into consideration)
, 2
Attributes Definition
1. Equity (including health - Equal opportunity for all, fair and just treatment, involves access to health in order for all to
care equity) reach their health and needs potential.
- Needs to be more central in the conceptualization of social justice, and that most (if not all) of
, 3
the other nine attributes are in fact proxies for - or representations of -equity and responsible
action toward a more equitable society (fairness in how people are treated for and what types of
health care they receive).
2. Human Rights (including - Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
the right to health) - If found, they might indicate that individuals and social groups are valued more equitably in
society.
BACKGROUND
● Early childhood
● Access to education
● The nature of employers
● Social inclusion
● The quality of the built and natural environment in which people reside
3. Democracy and Civil - Distribution of equal power and rights, no ranking or privileges.
Rights - Spoke to societal structures and systems that serve to create or sustain unfair differences.
4. Capacity Building - Strengthening the individual with core skills, capabilities, insight, knowledge, and experience
through means such as training, education, & social networking.
- If found, they might indicate that individuals and social groups are valued more equitably in
society **how do I provide the basics to somebody who doesn’t have equal healthcare (social
action vs. social action)
5. Just Institutions - Fair institutional practices, equitable hiring policies
- Fair or equitable institutions and thus could be considered under the equity attribute
6. Enabling Environments - Supporting positive physical, social, political situations, policy development, and community
empowerment.
- Spoke to societal structures and systems that serve to create or sustain unfair differences.
7. Poverty Reduction - Reduce poverty and increase the overall standard of living, increase participation of the poor in
social and political life.
- The root causes of inequities
8. Ethical Practice - Abide by the Code of Ethics for nurses.
- Being in accordance with the rules and regulations of practice (the rights and wrongs).
9. Advocacy - Active pursuit of support for the rights of a person, including oneself.
- Reflected the need for responsible action to reduce unnecessary differences or inequities.
10. Partnerships - Sharing of rights, roles, and responsibilities among institutions, individuals, private, public,
government, education, community, or non-governmental organizations.
- If found, they might indicate that individuals and social groups are valued more equitably in
society.
3. Identify the Social Determinant of Health.
The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. These circumstances are shaped by
the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national, and local levels (primary factors
behind health inequities).
, 4
Social Determinants of Health Explanation
Income and Social Status (income - The greatest determinant of health
distribution) - Influences most other determinants such as food security, and housing.
- Income and social status shapes overall living conditions, psychological functioning, and
influences health-related behaviors.
Social Support Networks - Social relationships are important to health, social support is linked with positive outcomes,
whereas social isolation, exclusion, and lack of supportive relationships increase stress, and
vulnerability to diseases directly and indirectly.
Education and Literacy (including - People with higher education tend to be healthier than those without.
health literacy)
Employment and working - People spend a lot of time in their workplaces, so working conditions can affect the health
conditions (unemployment and and safety of others.
employment security) - Those with lower education and lower incomes are more likely to experience adverse
working conditions.
- Unemployment is linked to material and social deprivations, adoption of health-threatening
coping behaviors, psychological stress, and physical and mental health problems.
Physical Environment (Geography, - Poor housing, or homelessness, are threats to health. Living in unsafe, unaffordable, or
housing, and food security) insecure housing increases many health problems.
- Food insecurity is being unable to have and/or access an adequate diet, either quality or
quantity, and is significantly associated with multiple chronic conditions, distress, and
depression.
- Geography includes geographic conditions that may limit access to health care or social
support. Also the environment, including clean water, clean air, food, and soil impacts health.
Biological and Genetic Endowment - Heredity is strongly influenced by social and physical environments.
- Age is also a strong determinant of health but needs to be considered in context with the
other determinants such as socio-economic status, social support, and individual health
practices.
Individual Health Practices and - Effective coping skills help people face challenges without restoring to risk behaviors.
Coping Skills - Risk behaviors include physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use.
Health Child Development (Early - Early childhood experiences and education have long-lasting biological, psychological, and
Life) social effects on lifelong health.
Health Services (health care - Access to high-quality health care services.
services) - In Ontario, we have OHIP which is part of universal health care in Canada, does this mean
everyone has equitable access.
Gender - Many times individuals consider gender as only male and female but this thinking is
discriminatory.
Culture (Immigrant status, race, - The health of immigrants and refugees is also affected by their experiences in their country
Indigenous Ancestry) of origin (i.e. violence, economic insecurity).
- Race impacts a whole range of adverse circumstances that threaten the health and well-being
of many Canadians associated with their race.
- Indigenous status: Indigenous people’s health is tied with their history of colonization.
Social Environments (social safety - Social Safety Net is the range of benefits, programs, and supports that protect citizens during
net, social exclusion, and disability) their life, this includes governmental social support, community social support, absence of
