Social Justice Principles

Diabetes has been identified as a health priority area, however, many Australians living with diabetes are experiencing inequity within their communities. The social justice principles aim to eliminate this inequity bey developing supportive environments within communities. Social justice can be identified by using the 4 principles:

Equity- equity refers to the fair allocation of resources and entitlements without being discriminated against. People in Australia are receiving more income that others making it hard to achieve an equal health status. Individuals with more money are able to access better and a variety of different beneficial health care services aiming to help those with diabetes. For example, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people generally are unable to finish their year 12 schooling. This makes it harder for them to achieve high paying jobs and therefore better health care services. They will be more inclined to consume high in sugar foods and be less inclined to pay to be a part of a sporting team. This means they are at a higher risk of developing diabetes due to poor prevention, protection and management of diabetes. On the contrast, an individual who was not
of indigenous background, finished year 12 and achieved a high paying job would be able to afford private health care services, and be at a lower risk of developing diabetes.

Conflicting with this, there are certain health care services for those who are unequally discriminated against.
For example, there are certain Indigenous medical practices designed specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and their medical needs. They allow indigenous australians to be seen as equals and make them feel welcome and comfortable seeking medical advice with people they can connect with on a cultural status. This type of equity seen in communities allows the number of people being unequally treated to have the same rights as those who are being treated as equals. By ensuring all individuals in communities are treated equally and given a fair go, there will be a decline in the number of individuals with diabetes, making the issue less of a health
priority.

Access- Access to health care services will also affect the health priority area of diabetes and the number of people who are diagnosed with it. Individuals living within rural and remote areas will generally experience long travel to health care services and treatment. This will make the individuals more inclined not to go because of the long distance travel. However, this increases the risk of developing diabetes and other illnesses or conditions, increasing the health priority area of diabetes in Australia. Education can also limit an individual's access to health care services, not knowing the benefits of what is offered, and the prevalence of diabetes offered.

Rights- Rights within communities will affect the number of people being diagnosed with diabetes, and therefore the increase in the health priority area. Having the same rights across a diverse range of individuals will allow diabetes to be diagnosed and prevented. All Australians have the right to be healthy and have the right to access health care services upon demand, allowing individuals to take the initiative if there is something wrong and take charge in creating a better and healthier Australia, making diabetes a smaller health priority.