Public health and politics: how political science can help us move forward
Open Access
- 1 November 2018
- journal article
- editorial
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in European Journal of Public Health
- Vol. 28 (suppl_3), 1-2
- https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/cky194
Abstract
Public health and politics are two sides of the same coin. Just combining the words ‘public’ and ‘health’ makes a clear statement that health can only be achieved by the concerted action of many people who must work together in pursuit of a common goal. Acknowledging this raises questions, though: How should they work together? As a voluntary grouping of those with shared interests, where people can join or leave as they desire? Or within an organized state, governed by laws that safeguard rights but demand obligations? Such questions, addressing issues like the relationship between the individual and the state and the distribution of power and resources in society, are at the heart of political science. But they are also crucial to efforts to improve health. Too often, we shy away from politics, instead adopting a narrow and, arguably, easier technocratic approach, setting out why an evidence-based action should be done without asking how it might be done and devising an appropriate implementation strategy.Funding Information
- European Union's Health Programme
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