Health care and health justice are related but distinct concepts within the broader field of health. Here's a table that outlines the key differences between health care and health justice:
| Aspect | Health Care | Health Justice |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Health care refers to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in people. | Health justice is a broader concept that encompasses not only access to health care but also the pursuit of equality in health status and the elimination of health disparities among different populations. |
| Focus | Focuses on the provision of medical services to individuals. | Focuses on systemic issues, policies, and social determinants that lead to inequities in health outcomes. |
| Scope | Generally limited to clinical settings and healthcare providers. | Extends beyond clinical settings to include social, economic, and environmental factors that impact health. |
| Approach | Typically reactive, addressing problems after they arise. | Proactive and preventive, seeking to create conditions that support health and well-being for all. |
| Key Activities | Involves treatment, management, and prevention of diseases; provision of medical care; and patient care services. | Advocacy, policy-making, community engagement, and addressing social determinants of health like poverty, education, and housing. |
| Goal | To heal, prevent, or manage illness or injury. | To achieve equity in health for all people, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or geographic location. |
| Measurement of Success | Typically measured by individual health outcomes, patient satisfaction, and clinical effectiveness. | Measured by reductions in health disparities, equitable access to healthcare resources, and overall improvement in population health. |
While health care focuses on individual health needs and the provision of medical services, health justice encompasses a broader range of social, economic, and political factors that affect the health of populations and aims to address systemic inequalities in health.