Health justice recognizes that there are numerous socio-economic factors (social determinants of health) that affect an individual’s and a community’s health status.  The idea of social determinants of health is based on substantial research that the social and physical environment greatly influences a person’s health.  Health justice addresses the fact that in order to attain physical and mental health at the individual and community level, we must address issues of equity, access, and justice as they relate to particular social, physical, political and economic environments.  Health care services are one important element in attaining health, but health services alone cannot eliminate inequities such as poverty, racism, and gender-based violence. Without attention to and efforts aimed at the complex realities of individuals’ lives, we cannot hope to achieve good health and wellbeing for all.

Kentucky has formidable challenges in terms of health status and outcomes for women and families.  Systemic poverty, environmental pollution and destruction, geographical isolation, and a dearth of locally-based economic opportunities contribute to undermining community health.  It is within this context that Kentucky’s women and families face multiple challenges in their efforts to achieve physical and mental health and well-being. Barriers to good health include, but are not limited to, high rates of smoking, obesity, domestic violence, sexual assault, teen pregnancy rates, substance abuse, lack of health insurance, low educational attainment, low per capita income levels, and limited access to health care services and information.  How these issues intersect with one another and how race, income, gender, sexuality, and education status, among others, affect women’s health are integral to l) understanding our realities and 2) forging new and effective approaches to prevention and health justice. KHJN believes that creating a health justice movement can succeed in addressing these challenges.  Kentucky has a long history of resilience and strong sense of community and family that make community-based and community-driven efforts possible and relevant.