Achieving Justice and Social Determinants of Health

Background and Aim: Justice in its ancient meaning is the equivalent of giving everything to someone who deserves it, and in the more modern sense, justice is based on equal recognition of members of society in certain rights, and this view is more compatible with social justice. The main concern of health systems is to ensure the health of society, but this is not only achieved through the control of pathogens, diagnosis and treatment. Rather, social, economic, and environmental factors such as education, economic status, insurance, living conditions, etc play a major role in people's health, and addressing health determinants is a step towards achieving justice. In other words, individuals in society, regardless of gender, race, beliefs, social and economic status, do not have a structural difference in health and its determinants and enjoy the care needed at the right time and place.
Methods: This study was conducted with the approach of “qualitative content analysis” and “elite opinion”.
Results: The basis of justice is the realization of social justice and justice in health is a subset of social justice. In the field of health justice, "social factors of health" and "social determinants of health" have the greatest role. Poverty and health inequalities are the most important causes of death and disability in society. The correlation between justice and social health, as well as the social determinants of health, has been proven, and responsibilities have been defined for governments in this area.
Conclusion: For achieving justice in health; the political commitment of the officials, the national determination and will, using all the capacities of the country, recognizing the creating conditions, trying to reduce health inequalities, improving the components of social capital, improving the indicators related to the social determinant of health, reducing social disorders and harms is needed.