Social justice, as described by theorist John Rawls, involves the protection of equal access to liberties, rights, and opportunities, as well as taking care of the least advantaged members of society. This involves equal access to civil liberties, human rights, and opportunities for healthy and fulfilling lives and distributes a fair share of benefits to the least advantaged members of society. However, the social justice movement has demonstrated that the negative impacts of environmental contamination have been associated with the issues of poverty and political disconnection of poor communities and in particular communities of people of color.
Environmental justice is defined by Energy.gov as the "fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people with respect to development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies." No part of the population should carry a disproportionate burden of negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or from the execution of federal, state, and local laws or regulations.
Environmental injustice has been of considerable concern among our poor and disenfranchised communities for many years. The characteristics of concerns that have affected this population are part of discriminatory patterns of inadequate housing, ineffective land use, transit injustice, lead poisoning, air pollution, water safety, medical care access, and political marginalization. These factors impact mental and physical health issues and ultimately affect not just the poor and disenfranchised but also all citizens in the long run. The lack of environmental realities, as well as ineffective broad based governmental support, has contributed to economic abandonment, decay of infrastructure, and, in seemingly regular occurrences, the disintegration of communities.
Communities suffering from environmental injustice are inextricably linked to consequences of social injustice. These communities suffer the social costs of housing discrimination, residential segregation, and inappropriate land use and zoning practices. They suffer from lack of educational and employment opportunity, inadequate health care services, economic disinvestment, political neglect, and other forms of discrimination.
The current issue of Family & Community Health deals with social and environmental justice. Contributing authors take a broad look at some issues that have and continue to confront our society, such as government regulations, lead exposure, air toxins, medical debt, access to nutritious food, and land use. Although this issue will not solve environmental injustices or right social justice, it provides a forum to remind the reader that there is still a long way to go.
Geltman et al evaluate the effectiveness of Executive Order 12898, which was first issued in 1994 by then President Clinton. The policy that outlined the government approach to environmental justice is studied to determine its impact on federal decision making over the last 2 decades. The reader may find it alarming at the lack of effectiveness that this Executive Order has had on environmental rule making.
Leech et al study the impact that lead has on urban and low-income minority communities. This discussion is particularly timely now with the result of crumbling infrastructures in cities and industrial waste discharges that are causing drinking water to be unsafe. A historical review of lead contaminants and its toxicity is explored. Its environmental impact on childhood health and an intergenerational effect are discussed.
Clark-Reyna et al continue the discussion of environmental contaminants by looking at air toxins and their effect on children's academic achievement. Their study adds to the considerable research on the impact that air toxins have on developmental issues. Here the concern is expressed with regard to a trajectory of poor health and academic performance that impacts children's abilities that might likely follow them into adulthood.
Mansyur et al report on a participatory research approach to identify environmental problems in the Newport News, Virginia, area. Through this research approach, they identify 5 top environmental concerns and discuss how such processes and results can empower community leaders to bring such findings to the forefront to formulate strategies to improve the environmental quality.
Changing focus to social justice issues, we take a look at medical debt and its disproportionate rate of foreclosure on disadvantaged populations. Studying one community, Lichtenstein and Weber discuss how medical debt has contributed to foreclosure. This has seriously impacted the African American community. The authors speculate that this is not an isolated issue but one that can be found across the United States. They recommend changes in policies that exploit individuals through the high cost for drugs, co-pays, and deductibles.
Owili et al., present their study on predicting adequate utilization of antenatal care and explored if there are observational differences attributed to maternal age, demographic characteristics, and socioeconomic status (SES) in Kenya. The role of the individual's family has a clear implication on proper antenatal care. They provide recommendations for social policy development and further research into the area.
Giving economically disadvantaged minority pantry patrons a voice for planning food access and distribution is a meaningful way to engage communities in planning their nutritional needs. Greer et al report on results of their qualitative research project that shows how food pantry participants can positively impact on the experience. They provide suggestions for food pantry administrators that are generated from those whom benefit from this program.
Teixeira and Sing describe how community residents involved in an environmental justice-focused, resident engaged program that addresses public health issues related to hazards in urban decay and vacant lands. This article described how community residents perceive vacant land as a health hazard that disproportionately affects low income and minority communities, and illustrates how residents became empowered to promote environmental and social justice.
Finally is Mejia's media review of a documentary titled Pull of Gravity. This film addressed recidivism and its effect on individuals as well as families, communities, and residents where they live. Rooted in reality, the media platform is one that provides real stories of the struggles, dreams, successes, and losses of ex-offenders. The stigma associated with being an ex-offender and recidivism is a social justice issue that needs exploring to expand a discussion on its short- and long-term effects on not only individuals but the community as well.
-Scott D. McPhee, DrPH, MS, OT, FAOTA
Issue Editor
Dean
College of Health Professions
South University
Savannah, Georgia
[email protected]