scholarly journals Defending public health policies from objections of paternalism

2016 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Greenacre
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Social Welfare ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Sufficient Reason ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Common Criticism

Paternalism is defined as an action that infringes a person’s liberty and is performed without their consent, but is intended to improve a person’s welfare. As such, many public health policies are criticized as being paternalistic because they attempt to influence citizens’ behaviours to prevent disease or injury. Therefore, public health advocates ought to be aware of what justifies paternalism. Arguments based on the harm principle are the strongest defense of paternalistic policies in Western culture, but reinforcing an individual’s integrity and improving social welfare may also be considered sufficient reasons. In practice, what is considered sufficient reason for paternalism depends upon the culture of the affected society. Collectivist cultures are willing to accept a paternalistic policy in exchange for a better quality of life for their whole community, but individualist cultures are very averse to such a trade. This article provides examples of how these principles arise in the debate over implementing anti-obesity legislation. Advocates must recognize paternalism and know when it is acceptable in order to defend public health policy from that common criticism.

Paternalism, Autonomy, and the Common Good

2021 ◽  
pp. 89-109
Author(s):  
James Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Policy ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Common Good ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Common Good ◽  
The Common

Public health policies are often accused of being paternalistic, or to show the ‘Nanny State’ in action. This chapter argues that complaints about paternalism in public health policy are, for a variety of reasons, much less convincing than is often thought. First, for conceptual reasons, it is difficult to specify what it would be for a policy to be paternalistic. Second, two of the elements that make paternalism problematic at an individual level—interference with liberty and lack of individual consent—are endemic to public policy contexts in general and so cannot be used to support the claim that paternalism in particular is wrong. The chapter concludes that instead of debating whether a given policy is paternalistic, it would be better to ask whether the infringements of liberty it contains are justifiable, without placing any weight on whether or not those infringements of liberty are paternalistic.

Public health policy in developed countries

2021 ◽  
pp. 323-338
Author(s):  
John Powles ◽  
Hebe Gouda
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Good Deal ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Underlying Theme ◽  
Improve Health

Public health policies might thus be thought of as the policies that guide these ‘organized efforts’ to protect and improve health. The scope of such policies depends a good deal, however, on what is considered to be entailed by ‘organized efforts’. and on how centrally ‘organized efforts’ are understood to be related to efforts that are more decentralized, more informal, less organized, perhaps even ‘spontaneous’. The relative importance and legitimacy of centralized versus decentralized uses of knowledge in protecting and enhancing health is a common underlying theme in discussion of public health policy. This chapter discusses public health policy, and differences in outcomes, across different developed countries.

scholarly journals PERCORRENDO OS CAMINHOS DA RELAÇÃO ENTRE AS POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS DE SAÚDE E DO MEIO AMBIENTE

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Débora Aparecida da Silva Santos ◽  
Pedro Vieira De Azevedo ◽  
Jullianna Vitorio Vieira De Azevedo ◽  
Telma Lúcia Bezerra Alves
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Public Policies ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Social Actors ◽  
The Public

O presente estudo propõe uma análise do caminho percorrido na relação entre as políticas públicas de saúde e do meio ambiente em um contexto amplo, através de uma revisão bibliográfica sobre o tema. A aproximação da temática ambiental com o movimento de promoção da saúde permite a ampliação na compreensão do processo saúde-doença. Essa proposta seleciona a integração entre os setores como condição para o estabelecimento e a execução de políticas públicas como maneira de garantir melhores condições socioambientais. Desta maneira, é indispensável uma discussão ampla da importância dos diversos atores sociais relacionados à saúde e ao meio ambiente, entendendo que a ação interdisciplinar através do reconhecimento das políticas públicas melhora a qualidade de vida da população e, consequentemente, contribui para uma sociedade mais equilibrada ecologicamente. Palavras-chave: Políticas públicas, Saúde, Meio ambiente, Saúde ambiental.TRAVERSING THE WAYS OF THE RELATION BETWEEN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC POLICIES Abstract: This study presents an analysis of the path taken in the relation between public health policies and the environment in a broader context, through a literature review on the topic. The approach of environmental issues with the health promotion movement allows a broader understanding of the health-disease process. This proposal selects the integration across sectors as a condition for the establishment and implementation of public policies as a way to ensure better environmental conditions. In this way, a broad discussion of the importance of various social actors related to health and the environment is essential, understanding that an interdisciplinary action by recognizing the public policies improves people's quality of life and, consequently, contributes to a more balanced society ecologically. Key words: Public policies, Health, Environment, Environmental health.

Physicians, the State and Public Health in Chile, 1881–1891

1995 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 551-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl J. Murdock
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Deep Roots ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
The Social

AbstractThis study of public health policy in Chile uncovers some of the social tensions in that country during the 1880s, and illustrates the fragmentation of the Chilean elite prior to the Revolution of 1891. The Chilean government's controversial and contested public health policies implied the increasing bureaucratic organisation and regulation of society. The justifications offered for these policies by central government officials reveal both the deep roots in Chilean politics of a powerful Executive, and the early linkage between the ‘scientific discourses’ of medical professionals and the bureaucratic centralisation of state power.

scholarly journals Quality of life of individuals with stroke and their caregivers in a city of Triângulo Mineiro

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 453-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Lícia de Lima ◽  
Jair Lício Ferreira Santos ◽  
Namie Okino Sawada ◽  
Lívia Aparecida Pereira de Lima
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Stroke Group

Objective: To compare the quality of life (QoL) of individuals with stroke and their caregivers. Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional survey, involving 83 individuals who suffered a stroke. The participants were divided into four groups: group of individuals with stroke who have caregivers (44), group of individuals with stroke without caregivers (39), group of caregivers (44) and a reference group (83) in the period of March to May 2010. To assess QoL, the instrument used was the WHOQOL-bref. Results: The highest scores for the four fields were observed increasingly for the group of individuals with stroke with caregivers, the stroke group without caregivers followed by the group of caregivers and the reference group. The comparison of scores between groups showed that the presence of stroke and the fact of being caregiver affect QoL in all domains of WHOQOL-bref. Conclusion: It was possible to understand the negative impact that stroke causes in the lives of the affected ones and their caregivers, in order to better target public health policies.

scholarly journals Towards a deliberative approach in public health policy making

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
W Van Hoof ◽  
C Mayeur
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Public Opinion ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Common Ground ◽  
Public Consultation ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Deliberative Processes

Abstract The time when public health policies could be based solely on expert opinion has gone. Public opinion has a real impact on the effectiveness of public health policy. However, for complex issues such as vaccination, screening, GMO’s, privacy and data governance, public opinion is divided. How to integrate divided public opinions into a well-structured health policy? In Belgium, as in many other countries, policy makers have started to turn to deliberative processes to guide policy making with citizen involvement, especially in ethically contentious areas. Deliberative processes aim to involve citizens in policy making in a setting where individual opinions and interests are weighed honestly and fairly, so that through well informed deliberation common ground can emerge. Participants are informed by a neutral information package, a variety of experts and facilitated discussions. In a very transparent way, these positions are molded into tailored policy inputs. In Belgium, such initiatives have recently been organized on biobanking, genomics, e-health, reimbursement policies and more. In France, the government is obliged by law to organize a comprehensive deliberative public consultation on bioethical issues every seven years. Especially in areas that require a large degree of trust, a deliberative approach ensures policies that can be supported by people with diverse views. They offer a viable alternative to traditional models of power and conflict that is more suitable to governance in 21st century democracies. They allow citizens to make a meaningful contribution to topics they may not have been familiar with beforehand, but that do touch on their private lives and interests. The most recent Belgian initiative resulted in nine concrete policy inputs for the implementation of genomics in health care, presented directly by the citizens to the Minister of Public Health. The French initiative is the basis for the current review of the law on bioethics in parliament. Key messages Public health issues touch the interests of all citizens: citizen deliberation should be regarded as an important input for public health policies. A deliberative approach enhances public trust, especially in areas of social or ethical contention.

Policy Success and Public Health: The Case of Public Health in England

2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 391-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROB BAGGOTT
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
The Political ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Policy Success ◽  
Political Analysis ◽  
Political Dimensions

AbstractLike many countries, England has introduced a range of policies and strategies on public health since the early 1990s. Using concepts drawn from the policy success and failure literature, this article concludes that recent governments in England achieved only ‘precarious success’ in McConnell's typology. It demonstrates, with wider significance, that success or failure is not merely about policy achievement in programme terms, but that policy processes and the political dimensions of policy must be included in any evaluation. It also highlights the adversarial nature of public health policy, the subjectivity of judgments about effectiveness and the political problems this creates for government. The article pinpoints the relevance of public health policies for judgements about government competence, trustworthiness and accountability. It argues that failures of public health policy, including poor evaluation and failures to learn from experience, may be more comprehensible by adopting a political analysis of public policy making in this field.

scholarly journals Food industry influence on public health policy, research and practice in Latin America

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Mialon ◽  
E Perez ◽  
C Corvalan ◽  
C Monteiro ◽  
P Jaime ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Research And Practice

Abstract One of the key barriers to the development of public health policies, such as restrictions on marketing of unhealthy foods to children, is the influence of corporations, also known as corporate political activity' (CPA). This project aimed to identify the CPA of the food industry in Brazil, Colombia and Chile, over a 2-year period. This research consisted of a document analysis of publicly available information triangulated with interviews. It contributed to, and was based on methods developed by INFORMAS (International Network for Food and Obesity / non-communicable Diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support), which aims to monitor food environments. In all three countries, the food industry lobbied against public health policies and had direct access to high ranking officials and policy makers. It also shifted the blame away from its products in the obesity and non-communicable diseases epidemic onto individuals and their lack of education. In Brazil, the food industry was active against a new front-of-pack labeling, setting up its own website to promote an alternative model and self-regulation. In Colombia, the food industry captured the media and had strong ties with the government, including through nutrition programmes. Public health advocates felt unsafe when speaking against the industry or its products. In Chile, despite advances with the introduction of public health policies to limit the sales and marketing of unhealthy products, the food industry, including the sweeteners industry, which was not affected by the recent legislation, was still influencing policy, research and practice. Food industry actors, including local companies and transnationals, used several CPA strategies in Latin America to try and influence public health policy, research and practice. It is urgent that policy makers, academics and other individuals in public health are aware of these practices and equipped with solutions to address undue influence by the food industry Key messages In Latin America, the food industry used several CPA practices, which collectively could have a negative influence on public health policy, research and practice. These practices could delay efforts to protect and promote public health in the region.

Populations and the Law: The Changing Scope of Health Policy

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 607-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Fox
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Practical Reasons ◽  
Health Law ◽  
New Politics ◽  
The People ◽  
The Subject

Changes in the scope of health policy in the United States are creating opportunities and obligations for lawmakers and the lawyers who advise them. These changes are the result of a new politics of policy for the health of populations. The new politics is connecting areas of policy that, because they have had separate histories, are governed by distinct, usually uncoordinated laws and regulations.The subject of the new politics of health policy is what the Iowa Senate President, speaking in a plenary at the 2003 conference on Public Health Law in the 21st Century, called the “quality of life, what the people think is important.” An increasing number of leaders in general govemment–people who run for office and their staff–have practical reasons to make policy that acknowledges the expanding scope of what their constituents define as health policy.

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