Ethics and Equity in Global Health: The Preferential Option for the Poor

The author denounces poverty as the main cause of health issues, diseases, and premature death. To break the vicious cycle caused by poverty, which begins with injustice and ends with death, he argues for an approach from below, from the poor, which places the voices and experiences of poor people a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Alexandre Martins
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Moral Theology, Inc. 2021-05-01
Series:Journal of Moral Theology
Online Access:https://jmt.scholasticahq.com/article/24216-ethics-and-equity-in-global-health-the-preferential-option-for-the-poor
Description
Summary:The author denounces poverty as the main cause of health issues, diseases, and premature death. To break the vicious cycle caused by poverty, which begins with injustice and ends with death, he argues for an approach from below, from the poor, which places the voices and experiences of poor people at the center of discussions and actions in global public health by stressing the need of a preferential option for the poor. As an existential commitment, and an ethical imperative that inspires decision-making processes and informs concrete choices, such an option can greatly contribute to promote equity in global health. The samples of voices of poor people featured in this chapter exemplify the author’s approach and engage us in searching for ways and practices that will break the unjust vicious cycle of poverty, vulnerability, lack of healthcare, and premature death.
ISSN:2166-2851
2166-2118