Advocating for Social Justice

Advocating for Social Justice
Student:
Professor:
Course title:
Date:
Advocating for social justice
Public health nurses (PHNs) are expected to promote social justice for everybody. Elimination of disparities and inequities in health rests on a concrete foundation of public and nursing practice. Health disparities amongst vulnerable populations such as older citizens, racial/racial minorities, and the disabled in America are real and represent a significant threat to the country’s future (Schmelzer, 2013). This paper discusses the role of the community health nurse in advocating for social justice for at-risk populations and in eradicating disparities in health. Furthermore, how community health and the role of the community health nurse are likely to change in future are mentioned.
Social justice emanates from values of objectivity and impartiality at a governmental or systems level and is based upon the principles of tolerance, respect for self and human dignity, equity and fairness (Carlisle, 2013). In advocating for social justice for at risk populations and eliminating health disparities, the role of the community health nurse is to act according to fair treatment despite sexual orientation, disability, citizenship, age, ethnicity, race, and economic status. By being focused on social justice for vulnerable populations, public health nurses advocate for all the underserved groups and insist that social justice, care, prevention, as well as cure be the right of every person (Carlisle, 2013). Public health nurses are committed to the health of vulnerable groups as well as the eradication of disparities in health. In essence, leadership skills prepare them to advocate for social justice by promoting empowerment, relief and liberation of oppression and suffering.
Schmelzer (2013) stated that values are reflected in policies as regards human rights, for instance the right to protection from oppression. It is worth mentioning that social justice calls for fairness in the execution of policies. PHNs have the role of advocating for social justice principles in the healthcare arena and support governmental and organizational policies which demonstrate soci...