Work

Social Justice Is Not a Power-Driven Charity: The Problem With “Equity-Deserving” Terminology in Health Equity Literature

Year: 2026

Type: editorial

Abstract: This commentary critiques the growing use of the term "equity-deserving" in health equity literature, academic institutions, and policy research. The term was originally intended to frame equity as a right rather than a request. However, we argue that "equity-deserving" is a conceptually flawed term that reinforces a charity-based model of social justice by positioning institutions as benevolent givers and marginalized groups as passive receivers. This, in turn, results in obscuring the structural causes of inequality, risking the creation of meritocratic gatekeeping in clinical care and jeopardizing the validity of health equity research through the use of monolithic, performative labels.

Source: Creative Nursing

DOI: 10.1177/10784535261444383

Authors: Ahtisham Younas, Deanne Curnew, Laura Alyssa Roberts, Amara Sundus, Younas Masih, Abubaker M Hamed

Institutions: Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Eastern Finland, Biruni University

Language: English

Topic: Public Health and Social Inequalities

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650

OpenAlex ID: W7155010513

Cites: 15

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