The Errors of Individualistic Public Health Interventions: Denial of Treatment to Obese Persons; Comment on 'Denial of Treatment to Obese Patients — The Wrong Policy on Personal Responsibility for Health'

International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 2013, 1(3), 235–236

2 Pages Posted: 11 Nov 2013

See all articles by Daniel Goldberg

Daniel Goldberg

East Carolina University - School of Medicine

Date Written: November 11, 2013

Abstract

I agree entirely with Nir Eyal’s perspective that denying treatment to obese patients is morally wrong. However, the reasons for this belief differ in some ways from Eyal’s analysis. In this commentary, I will try to explain the similarities and differences in our perspectives. My primary claim is that the denial of treatment to obese patients is wrong principally because (i) it eschews a whole-population approach to the problem of poor nutrition and is therefore likely to be ineffective; (ii) it is likely to expand obesity-related health inequities; and (iii) it is likely to intensify stigma against already-marginalized social groups. I shall consider each in turn, and explore the extent to which Eyal would be likely to agree with my claims.

Keywords: Methodological Individualism; Inequalities; Whole-Population Approach; Stigma

Suggested Citation

Goldberg, Daniel, The Errors of Individualistic Public Health Interventions: Denial of Treatment to Obese Persons; Comment on 'Denial of Treatment to Obese Patients — The Wrong Policy on Personal Responsibility for Health' (November 11, 2013). International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 2013, 1(3), 235–236, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2352750

Daniel Goldberg (Contact Author)

East Carolina University - School of Medicine ( email )

600 Moye Boulevard
Greenville, NC 27858
United States

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