Public Health Ethics 4 (3):207-217 (2011)
Authors |
|
Abstract |
WHO suggests mental ill health in terms of depression to be the highest ranking disease problem in the developed world in 2020–2030 and claims a public health approach to be the most appropriate response. But some argue that the alarming reports on mental ill health have their ground in the methods of inquiry themselves and refer to medicalization as an important issue. The aim of this article is to explore and illuminate the issue of what is meant by mental health and mental ill health and what it means that mental ill health is a major public health problem. Basically, two understandings and aspects of public health exist: a ‘reductionist’ and a ‘holistic’ with connections to different theories of health. These diverging understandings may lead to quite different public health responses, and they may have different consequences with regard to medicalization. It is concluded that we need more clearly elaborated ways to think about public health so that the increased attention to mental ill health as a public health problem does not in itself lead to medicalization in terms of just medical treatment. Otherwise, we risk losing the importance of public health as an overarching social and political instrument
|
Keywords | No keywords specified (fix it) |
Categories | (categorize this paper) |
DOI | 10.1093/phe/phr030 |
Options |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Download options
References found in this work BETA
A Two-Dimensional Theory of Health.Per-Anders Tengland - 2007 - Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics 28 (4):257-284.
A Public Health Perspective on Research Ethics.D. R. Buchanan & F. G. Miller - 2006 - Journal of Medical Ethics 32 (12):729-733.
Citations of this work BETA
The Muddle of Medicalization: Pathologizing or Medicalizing?Jonathan Sholl - 2017 - Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics 38 (4):265-278.
Beyond Surviving to Thriving: The Case for a ‘Compassion Towards Thriving’ Approach in Public Mental Health Ethics.Phil Bielby - forthcoming - Public Health Ethics:phab023.
Similar books and articles
Is Writing Good for Your Mental Health or Is There More to Life?Mary Nettle - 2010 - Philosophy, Psychiatry, and Psychology 17 (3):269-270.
The Limits of Public Health: A Response.Mark A. Rothstein - 2009 - Public Health Ethics 2 (1):84-88.
Public Health and Obesity: When a Pound of Prevention Really Is Worth an Ounce of Cure.C. A. Womack - 2012 - Public Health Ethics 5 (3):222-228.
Why 'Health' is Not a Central Category for Public Health Policy.Stephen John - 2009 - Journal of Applied Philosophy 26 (2):129-143.
The Duty to Protect: Ethical, Legal, and Professional Considerations for Mental Health Professionals.James L. Werth, Elizabeth Reynolds Welfel & G. Andrew H. Benjamin (eds.) - 2009 - American Psychological Association.
PPACA and Public Health: Creating a Framework to Focus on Prevention and Wellness and Improve the Public's Health.Gwendolyn Roberts Majette - 2011 - Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics 39 (3):366-379.
Improving the Population's Health: The Affordable Care Act and the Importance of Integration.Lorian E. Hardcastle, Katherine L. Record, Peter D. Jacobson & Lawrence O. Gostin - 2011 - Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics 39 (3):317-327.
Ethics and Value Strategies Used in Prioritizing Mental Health Services in Oregon.David A. Pollack, Bentson H. McFarland, Robert A. George & Richard H. Angell - 1993 - HEC Forum 5 (5):322-339.
What Does Public Health Ethics Tell (Or Not Tell) Us About Intervening in Non-Communicable Diseases?Ross Upshur - 2013 - Journal of Bioethical Inquiry 10 (1):19-28.
From Health Care Reform to Public Health Reform.Micah L. Berman - 2011 - Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics 39 (3):328-339.
Analytics
Added to PP index
2011-10-30
Total views
59 ( #193,194 of 2,507,018 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
2 ( #277,393 of 2,507,018 )
2011-10-30
Total views
59 ( #193,194 of 2,507,018 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
2 ( #277,393 of 2,507,018 )
How can I increase my downloads?
Downloads