Contends that bringing human needs theories into the analyses done in policy practice is essential to taking our ethical commitment to human needs seriously. Discussed how a recent needs-based theorization of human injustice showed how oppression, exploitation, and mechanistic dehumanization can produce systemic inequality in opportunities that people and communities have to access culturally divergent satisfiers of universally required human intermediate needs (Dover, 2019).

Without upstream (primary) or midstream (secondary) prevention, this leads to wrongfully unmet needs and to individual and social suffering, to which downstream (tertiary) prevention must respond, in order to prevent more severe morbidity or mortality (Gough, 2015).

Explains that a needs-based combination theory of social justice (Nullmeier, 2020), which critiqued overly

monistic approaches to the use of needs theory, suggests the value of combination theories of policy practice by social workers and of social sork practice with client systems. The article uses a combination theory approach to theorize policy practice, using theory of human need and a revision of the policy stages approach: agenda setting/engagement/problem identification, (2) present policy selection/identify alternative policies, (3) proposed policy formulation, (4) policy advocacy, (5) policy implementation, and (6) program/policy evaluation.

Also suggests the value of a combination method of social work practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities. Such a theory would rely upon theories of human need, theories of human injustice, ecological systems theory, empowerment theory, selfdetermination theory, role theory, and emerging progressive applications of behavioral theory.