Health is a human right, right?
There remains an enormous need to examine, at a macro level, the interrelated research, practice, and policy issues that are important for societies that seek to achieve social justice for all and health as a human right.
Abstract
The constitution of the World Health Organization states that “The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being.”1(p1) Although this perspective is notable and has proven to be significant in promoting the quality of life among individuals worldwide, it is unfortunate that this resounding message is often not heard—and too often overlooked—by many parts of American society. Sadly, this basic human right is even more difficult to achieve for the estimated 43.3 million uninsured persons in the United States, 2 many of whom are poor, underserved, and underrepresented. Furthermore, the individuals who do have health insurance experience major difficulties navigating a fragmented health care system, accessing culturally responsive and quality health care, and securing associated finances. Every day, working people struggle to make ends meet with health ailments that progressively worsen, in part because of their inability to comfortably connect with a health care provider and establish a medical “base.” In some cases, the fear of receiving bad news about their health from a physician or the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment may prevent individuals from expeditiously moving forward for health care. Yet, what may be even more daunting is the reality of the medical bills that will most certainly accompany any visit to a health care facility. Sociocultural, economic, political, and environmental tribulations continue to plague our communities and infect our health care systems, resulting in public health crises, disease epidemics, and enduring health disparities, placing vulnerable populations at increased risk of premature mortality and lives filled with suffering. The distribution of health outcomes is extremely unbalanced across population groups in regard to race and gender.3 African American men have the shortest life expectancy (69.2 years) among the four major race–gender groups in the United States (White women, 80.5 years; White men, 75.4 years; African American women, 76.1 years).4 It is essential to understand that pervasive inequities have a detrimental impact on the physical and mental health status of many individuals, families, and communities. We must adopt the principle that health requires more than just health care. Needed attention to selected social determinants of health has been offered to the general public through provocative documentaries such as Unnatural Causes … Is Inequality Making Us Sick? 5 and Sicko.6 Nonetheless, much more remains to be done. In addition to honing in on micro-level connections between exposures and outcomes, there remains an enormous need to examine, at a macro level, the interrelated research, practice, and policy issues that are important for societies that seek to achieve social justice for all and health as a human right.