Social injustices and public health Barry S. Levy Oxford University Press, 2019. ISBN‐13: 978‐0190914646.

• Published date: 01 December 2022
• Author: Brenda A. Leath
• Date: 01 December 2022
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.481

DOI: 10.1002/wmh3.481

BOOK REVIEW

Social injustices and public health

Barry S. Levy

Oxford University Press, 2019. ISBN‐13: 978‐0190914646.

Social Injustice and Public Health, edited by Barry S. Levy, MD, MPH, former President of

the American Public Health Association, is a classic text that should be read by all public

officials new to the field as well as career veterans. The concepts, supporting data, and

analyses astutely drive home the appropriateness of moral and ethical obligations in

transforming the current public health system as well as a reimagined system that is in-

clusive and universally responsive to the needs of all demographic groups. Fundamental to

this premise is the view that health ought to be a right and not just a privilege. Such an

assertion embraces a human rights framework that requires reinvesting in the infrastructure

of the current public health system so that outputs and outcomes can be achieved to meet

the needs of all people. Considerable groundwork has already been undertaken in this area

(p.11) with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a prime example.

However, it is noted that although all member countries promulgate the Declaration, without

international law, its impact is limited (p.14).

The introduction of key concepts and definitions in Part I, The Impact of Social Injustice

on Public Health, establishes a clear foundation for documenting and examining critical root

causes of social injustices. Levy's description of the manifestation of inequalities and in-

equities further justifies the need for a universal approach to eliminate social injustices in

public health. Levy also describes the use of two definitions of social justice: The first

definition organizes Part II and indicates the “denial or violation of economic, social, cultural,

civil, political, or other human rights of specific populations or groups in society based on the

erroneous perception of their inferiority by those with more power or influence.”Accordingly,

Part II, How Social Injustice Affects the Health of Specific Population Groups, provides

contexts for injustices experienced by diverse population groups. Although the life circum-

stances of many of the population groups vary considerably, they have common challenges

that relate to accessible, affordable, effective, and quality care that ultimately influence their

health status and outcomes.

The second definition of Social Justice organizes Part III and “refers to policies or actions

that adversely affect the conditions in which people can be healthy”(pp.3–4). Part III focuses

on How Social Injustice Affects Areas of Public Health. The section's authors discuss

influencing factors that are common to policies and practices, such as structural inequities,

interpersonal bias, stigma, and limited health insurance coverage. They examine the effects

of various policies and practices on health outcomes, using outcome measures such as

morbidity (often preventable) and mortality (often premature), and disability rates to sub-

stantiate their assertions.

The narratives in Parts II and III are enhanced by the integration of brief case studies or

special topic discussions. These examples illuminate the application of critical concepts. For

example, in the chapter on mental health, a special focus is placed on the Opioid Crisis and

Social Justice (p.311). Insights are provided about the crisis' impact on populations of color,

World Med. & Health Policy. 2022;14:810–811.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/wmh3810

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