Which ethical principle focuses on fairness in distributing healthcare resources?

The ethical principle that focuses on fairness in distributing healthcare resources is justice. This principle concerns itself with the equitable allocation of healthcare services, ensuring that individuals have fair access to medical resources regardless of their background, socioeconomic status, or other potentially discriminatory factors. Justice implies that everyone should receive what they are due and that resources should be distributed in a way that is consistent with societal needs and moral considerations.

In the context of healthcare, this can involve discussions around issues such as access to treatment, prioritization of care, and how to address disparities within different populations. While other principles, such as autonomy, beneficence, and nonmaleficence, guide individual patient care and the ethical obligations of healthcare providers, justice specifically zeroes in on systemic equity in healthcare delivery.