HMS, HIC 2020 HSC 32b

Explain how the social justice framework can be applied to address factors which may cause health inequities in Australia. (12 marks)

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The social justice framework provides structured approaches to reduce health inequities through four key principles. This works by addressing systemic barriers that prevent equal health outcomes for all Australians across different population groups.
Participation ensures that disadvantaged communities have meaningful voice in health policy decisions and service design. This occurs because involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in healthcare planning leads to culturally appropriate services that respect traditional healing practices. Therefore, community consultation enables targeted interventions that address specific population needs whilst promoting self-determination in health choices and empowering communities to identify their own health priorities.
Equity focuses on providing resources based on need rather than equal distribution across all areas. This means that remote communities receive additional funding for healthcare services to compensate for geographical disadvantages. As a result, mobile health clinics deliver specialist care to isolated populations, which reduces geographical barriers to treatment and creates more balanced health outcomes. Furthermore, equity requires addressing underlying social determinants like housing and education that influence health status.
Access removes physical, financial, and cultural barriers preventing people from using health services effectively. This happens when bulk billing medical services eliminate financial obstacles for low-income families and pensioners. Consequently, Indigenous health services provide culturally safe environments that encourage help-seeking behaviours and improve health service utilisation rates. Additionally, interpreter services enable culturally diverse populations to communicate effectively with healthcare providers.
Rights establishes that all Australians deserve quality healthcare regardless of background, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. This triggers policy changes that protect vulnerable groups from discrimination and ensure equal treatment opportunities. Therefore, anti-discrimination legislation prevents healthcare denial based on ethnicity or socioeconomic status, which ensures equal treatment opportunities and promotes dignity in healthcare interactions.
The significance is that these principles work together to create comprehensive solutions addressing multiple inequality causes simultaneously. This demonstrates that social justice frameworks can systematically address multiple causes of health inequities whilst promoting sustainable improvements in population health outcomes and creating more equitable Australian society.

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The social justice framework provides structured approaches to reduce health inequities through four key principles. This works by addressing systemic barriers that prevent equal health outcomes for all Australians across different population groups.
Participation ensures that disadvantaged communities have meaningful voice in health policy decisions and service design. This occurs because involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in healthcare planning leads to culturally appropriate services that respect traditional healing practices. Therefore, community consultation enables targeted interventions that address specific population needs whilst promoting self-determination in health choices and empowering communities to identify their own health priorities.
Equity focuses on providing resources based on need rather than equal distribution across all areas. This means that remote communities receive additional funding for healthcare services to compensate for geographical disadvantages. As a result, mobile health clinics deliver specialist care to isolated populations, which reduces geographical barriers to treatment and creates more balanced health outcomes. Furthermore, equity requires addressing underlying social determinants like housing and education that influence health status.
Access removes physical, financial, and cultural barriers preventing people from using health services effectively. This happens when bulk billing medical services eliminate financial obstacles for low-income families and pensioners. Consequently, Indigenous health services provide culturally safe environments that encourage help-seeking behaviours and improve health service utilisation rates. Additionally, interpreter services enable culturally diverse populations to communicate effectively with healthcare providers.
Rights establishes that all Australians deserve quality healthcare regardless of background, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. This triggers policy changes that protect vulnerable groups from discrimination and ensure equal treatment opportunities. Therefore, anti-discrimination legislation prevents healthcare denial based on ethnicity or socioeconomic status, which ensures equal treatment opportunities and promotes dignity in healthcare interactions.
The significance is that these principles work together to create comprehensive solutions addressing multiple inequality causes simultaneously. This demonstrates that social justice frameworks can systematically address multiple causes of health inequities whilst promoting sustainable improvements in population health outcomes and creating more equitable Australian society.

♦♦♦ Mean mark 37%.