What does social justice refer to in the context of health and social services?

Social justice in the context of health and social services refers to the fair distribution of resources and services among all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. This principle emphasizes that everyone should have equal access to healthcare and related services, which helps in addressing disparities that often exist in society. By ensuring that resources are fairly distributed, social justice aims to create a more equitable system where all people can enjoy a baseline level of health and well-being.

The other choices touch on important aspects related to health services, but they do not fully encapsulate the broad concept of social justice. For instance, the provision of free health services is one approach to addressing barriers in accessing care, but it does not ensure fairness in distribution of resources. Prioritizing health services for marginalized groups is an important aspect of social justice, but it is a subset of the broader goal of fair distribution. Reducing healthcare costs can contribute to improving access and equity, but it alone does not guarantee that everyone is receiving resources fairly. Thus, the comprehensive idea of social justice in health and social services is best captured by the fair distribution of resources and services.