'Decipio': examining Virchow in the context of modern 'democracy'

Public Health
R Gregory Reilly, Martin McKee

Abstract

More than 100 years ago Rudolf Virchow advocated for enhanced democracy and socioeconomic reforms in order that the state could empower people to achieve better health. With reference to these now famous assertions this article traces the promises and pit-falls of democracy from ancient Greece to neo-liberal economies, to ascertain if the democratic state is indeed the ideal mechanism for promoting public health. In the end we conclude that contemporary western political systems are not rooted in the interest of the people, but are rather deceptive forces of branding designed to promote underlining agendas. This 'decipractic' (decipo = to deceive) system of politics demands a vigilant analysis and response from those in the health and academic communities to ensure that governments can be a mechanism for positive change in the public's interest.

References

Jan 13, 2005·The Annals of Pharmacotherapy·C Alice Oborne, Michal L Luzac
Jun 9, 2006·The New England Journal of Medicine·Evan WoodThomas Kerr
Jul 28, 2006·Journal of Public Health·Martin McKee
Apr 25, 2007·CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal = Journal De L'Association Medicale Canadienne·Sandro Galea
Nov 26, 2009·CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal = Journal De L'Association Medicale Canadienne·Ann Silversides
Jan 30, 2010·Lancet·Zoe Alsop
Jan 25, 2011·BMJ : British Medical Journal·Tony Delamothe, Fiona Godlee
Feb 25, 2011·Journal of Public Health·David J Hunter
Mar 1, 2011·Lancet·Martin McKeeWalter W Holland
Mar 24, 2011·BMJ : British Medical Journal·Allyson M Pollock, David Price

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jan 25, 2013·Clinical Medicine : Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London·Walter W Holland
Aug 31, 2012·Clinical Medicine : Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London·Martin McKeeDavid Stuckler
Mar 27, 2012·Public Health·F Sim, P Mackie
Jun 25, 2013·Social Science & Medicine·Johan P MackenbachCaspar W N Looman
Sep 27, 2013·International Journal of Health Services : Planning, Administration, Evaluation·Johan P Mackenbach, Martin McKee
Nov 28, 2012·Israel Journal of Health Policy Research·Fiona Sim
Jun 7, 2013·Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine·Timothy Craig Allen

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Social Science & Medicine
Jeroen Klomp, Jakob de Haan
BMJ : British Medical Journal
Alvaro FrancoMaria Teresa Ruiz
International Journal of Health Services : Planning, Administration, Evaluation
V Navarro
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved