Linking health promotion and social justice: A rationale and two case stories

Abstract

Although health promotion and social justice come from distinct traditions, their integration can strengthen the field of health education. This paper explores the complexities and ethical dilemmas of incorporating social justice into health promotion, including differing agendas among agencies, communities and health educators; role conflicts; ideologic differences in the field; and lack of willingness of health educators to take risks. Two case studies, a transitional program to assist incarcerated women and youth to return to communities, and a statewide youth policy initiative, illustrate these issues and argue for the value of linking social justice and health promotion strategies to create a powerful health education agenda for the next century.