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Robustly Healthy Agency

Lawrence C. Becker

in Habilitation, Health, and Agency: A Framework for Basic Justice

This chapter develops a health scale, or metric, ranging from worst to robustly good (basic) health, an adequate marker of which lies in healthy agentic powers. This is an obvious target for ... More

This chapter develops a health scale, or metric, ranging from worst to robustly good (basic) health, an adequate marker of which lies in healthy agentic powers. This is an obvious target for habilitation of the sort required by basic justice.Less

the Care of the Dying: First published in Better Health (May 1961), pp. 18–20.

Cicely Saunders

in Cicely Saunders: Selected Writings 1958-2004

This paper shows the willingness of Cicely Saunders to write for a wide variety of publications and audiences, even from an early stage in her writing career. It appeared in a now long-forgotten ... More

This paper shows the willingness of Cicely Saunders to write for a wide variety of publications and audiences, even from an early stage in her writing career. It appeared in a now long-forgotten magazine called Better Health and was written not just for nurses working in the community, but also for family carers of terminally ill people. It detailed some of the typical problems and concerns which can arise in the final stages of life and the frustrations which patients and carers may experience, as well as giving simple and practical advice on how they can be overcome.Less

Conclusion and Extrication

Lawrence C. Becker

in Habilitation, Health, and Agency: A Framework for Basic Justice

Chapter 10 takes leave of the project by reconsidering some especially troublesome thoughts about it—especially the way in which ordinary approximations to basic good health are apparently compatible ... More

Chapter 10 takes leave of the project by reconsidering some especially troublesome thoughts about it—especially the way in which ordinary approximations to basic good health are apparently compatible with basic injustice of horrific sorts. This underlines the need for a full-fledged normative theory of justice, but does not undermine the argument for beginning with the habilitation framework.Less

Relevance, Influence, and Prejudice

Lawrence C. Becker

in Habilitation, Health, and Agency: A Framework for Basic Justice

This chapter begins with reminders about what has been done in the preceding ones, and what has deliberately been left undone. It then makes some additional arguments about the comprehensiveness of ... More

This chapter begins with reminders about what has been done in the preceding ones, and what has deliberately been left undone. It then makes some additional arguments about the comprehensiveness of the habilitation framework and the adequacy of basic good health as the representative good for basic justice.Less

The National Health Service in England¹: Some aspects of structure

Richard M. Titmuss

in Essays on the Welfare State

This chapter explains how it can argued that the larger the investment by any society in ‘individualism’, the more may ‘health consciousness’ spread. Similarly, the limits to what is personally ... More

This chapter explains how it can argued that the larger the investment by any society in ‘individualism’, the more may ‘health consciousness’ spread. Similarly, the limits to what is personally conceived to be tolerable in feelings of bad health or inadequate function may also rise. And as society becomes more health conscious (in the sense of more individuals becoming aware of the higher standards expected of them) the more may each individual become dependent, or at least feel dependent, in an age of scientific medicine, on other individuals — and on resources external to themselves for the achievement of good health.Less

Devolution and localism: metropolitan authorities

Paul Dennett and Jacquie Russell

in Local Authorities and the Social Determinants of Health

This chapter explores the context for devolution in Greater Manchester, and why it matters in terms of residents' health and wellbeing. The authors set out some of the changes they have seen: the ... More

This chapter explores the context for devolution in Greater Manchester, and why it matters in terms of residents' health and wellbeing. The authors set out some of the changes they have seen: the integration of health and social care, and the creation of local care systems; the bringing together of health and care commissioning; and the crucial role of partnerships across health, care, the voluntary and community sector, housing, police, fire, and others. One of the arguments for local authority leadership on devolution is that good health is about more than the National Health Service (NHS) — it is about good food, warm homes, decent jobs, good education, close friends, and open green and safe public spaces (to name just a few). Devolution is about connecting all these agendas through local leadership and local action. Devolution is complex, as are the relationships between Greater Manchester and local democratic leadership in each of the ten boroughs. The chapter then considers some observations about the future challenges for local leadership if good health for residents is to be sustained.Less

Prevention for people with disabilities and vulnerable groups

Blánaid Daly, Paul Batchelor, Elizabeth Treasure, and Richard Watt

in Essential Dental Public Health

In this chapter we will look briefly at the prevention needs of people with disabilities and people who are vulnerable and require special care dental services for reasons that may be social. ... More

In this chapter we will look briefly at the prevention needs of people with disabilities and people who are vulnerable and require special care dental services for reasons that may be social. Within this group there will be a spectrum of people with needs and dependencies. Not everyone described as belonging to a vulnerable group in this chapter would identify themselves as disabled; nevertheless, what they have in common are a range of factors that put their oral health at risk, make accessing dental care complicated, or make the provision of dental care complicated. These factors may include a ‘physical, sensory, intellectual, mental, medical, emotional or social impairment or disability, or more often a combination of these factors’ (GDC 2012). People with disabilities have fewer teeth, more untreated disease, and more periodontal disease when compared to the general population in the UK (Department of Health 2007). Good oral health can contribute to better communication, nutrition, self-esteem, and reduction in pain and discomfort, while poor oral health can lead to pain, discomfort, communication difficulties, nutritional problems, and social exclusion (Department of Health 2007). As discussed in previous chapters, the important risk factors for oral diseases include: high-sugar diets, poor oral hygiene, smoking, and alcohol misuse. They are also shared risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers. The basic principles and approaches for the prevention of oral diseases in disabled people and vulnerable groups are similar to those described in previous chapters; however, there is a need to recognize that the context, the circumstances, the settings, and the opportunities for prevention will be slightly different, depending on the groups. For example, some disabled people (e.g. people with learning disabilities) may be reliant on others, such as family, carers, health care workers, to support basic self-care and to access health services. Other vulnerable groups such as homeless people live independent lives but lack access to basic facilities such as drinking water, and a place to store toothbrushes and toothpaste. Less

Work stress and health: is the association moderated by sense of coherence?

Susanna Toivanen

in Health inequalities and welfare resources: Continuity and change in Sweden

This chapter focuses on whether personality characteristics, in terms of sense of coherence (Antonovsky et al, 1990; Sagy et al, 1990), may buffer against the adverse effects of work stress ... More

This chapter focuses on whether personality characteristics, in terms of sense of coherence (Antonovsky et al, 1990; Sagy et al, 1990), may buffer against the adverse effects of work stress exposures. It notes that Antonovsky puts forward a salutogenic explanation as to why some people remain healthy while experiencing adverse circumstances. It explains that people may be better equipped to resist daily stressors and to stay in good health if they have a strong sense of coherence. It combines these two strands of research in the analyses and considers whether sense of coherence acts as a buffer against health hazards at the workplace.Less

Disability, Basic Justice, and Habilitation into Basic Good Health

Lawrence C. Becker

in Disability in Practice: Attitudes, Policies, and Relationships

Focusing on the human necessity of habilitation leads to a more inclusive and adequate account of the circumstances of justice. Such an account involves paying persistent attention to similarities ... More

Focusing on the human necessity of habilitation leads to a more inclusive and adequate account of the circumstances of justice. Such an account involves paying persistent attention to similarities and differences in the physical and psychological abilities of actual human agents. That in turn leads to equally persistent attention to the basic good health (or lack of it) in such agents, and to their inabilities (disabilities) and abilities. Such attention to basic good health then yields a disability-friendly starting point for the construction of normative theories of basic justice generally. It does this by providing a constant undercurrent of attention to the crucial problems of human habilitation and rehabilitation that any plausible normative theory of justice must address. Those problems of justice, moreover, are framed as part of the inescapable project of working around human disabilities, or through them, toward situations in which their salience for basic justice is minimized.Less

Prevention and oral health education in dental practice settings

Blánaid Daly, Paul Batchelor, Elizabeth Treasure, and Richard Watt

in Essential Dental Public Health

Prevention is a core element of the practice of dentistry in the 21st century. Of course the provision of evidence based dental treatment and surgical intervention are the main clinical roles for ... More

Prevention is a core element of the practice of dentistry in the 21st century. Of course the provision of evidence based dental treatment and surgical intervention are the main clinical roles for dentists, but, as health professionals, prevention is also a key responsibility (Department of Health 2012 ; Petersen 2009 ; Steele et al. 2009). Adopting a preventive orientation is relevant to all aspects of clinical care, from diagnosis and treatment planning to referral and monitoring procedures. Dentists and their team members have an important role in helping their patients prevent, control, and manage their oral health. Prevention is important for all patients, but support needs to be tailored to the needs and circumstances of each individual. It is also essential that any preventive advice and support is informed by scientific evidence to ensure maximum benefit is gained. Effectiveness reviews of preventive interventions have shown that many are ineffective and may increase oral health inequalities unless they are supported by broader health promotion interventions (Watt and Marinho 2005; Yehavloa and Satur 2009). Prevention in clinical settings therefore needs to be part of a more comprehensive oral health promotion strategy that addresses the underlying causes of dental disease through public health action, as well as helping patients and their families prevent oral diseases and maintain good oral health through self-care practices. Health education is defined as any educational activity that aims to achieve a health-related goal (WHO 1984). Activity can be directed at individuals, groups, or even populations. There are three main domains of learning (see also Chapter 9 ): . . . ● Cognitive: understanding factual knowledge (for example, knowledge that eating sugary snacks is linked to the development of dental decay). . . . . . . ● Affective: emotions, feelings, and beliefs associated with health (for example, belief that baby teeth are not important). . . . . . . ● Behavioural: skills development (for example, skills required to effectively floss teeth). . . . How do knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours relate to each other? For most people, in most instances, the relationship is complex, dynamic, and very personal; very rarely is it linear. Less

Can CEOs Save the Health of Americans?

Michael D. Stein and Sandro Galea

in Pained: Uncomfortable Conversations about the Public's Health

This chapter examines the assumption that CEOs may transform health care more quickly and thoroughly than the public sector has, or perhaps can. Over the past 50 years, the cultural reputation of the ... More

This chapter examines the assumption that CEOs may transform health care more quickly and thoroughly than the public sector has, or perhaps can. Over the past 50 years, the cultural reputation of the corporate CEO has soared. The “right” CEO can dramatically improve a private company’s performance. However, the evidence that the CEO and the private sector can actually be a force for good health remains dubious. The problem with a CEO takeover of health care is that achieving better health depends on much more than the conditions that drive the fiscal well-being of a single organization, that is, the conditions over which the CEO has the most influence. The truly important conditions are social, economic, and environmental. Improving these conditions as a means of improving health takes time and effort across a range of sectors, both public and private. A good CEO can be a welcome and important part of these efforts, but best functions as a supporting player, rather than as the focal point of what is, at heart, a collective effort.Less

Fred in His 90s: Thinking Maybe It’s in the Genes

Geoffrey L. Greif

in Buddy System: Understanding Male Friendships

This chapter tells the story of one married man in his 90s who is in remarkably good health. He has lost most of his friends and misses male contact.

Volunteering for the Health of the Public

Michael D. Stein and Sandro Galea

in Pained: Uncomfortable Conversations about the Public's Health

This chapter examines the importance of volunteering in facilitating healthy aging. There is a strong link between volunteering and good health. Formal volunteering has been associated with reduced ... More

This chapter examines the importance of volunteering in facilitating healthy aging. There is a strong link between volunteering and good health. Formal volunteering has been associated with reduced mortality and increased self-rated health and physical function. Indeed, a 2018 research suggests that those who have the greatest health vulnerabilities are, in fact, most likely to experience positive health benefits from volunteering. How does volunteering help? It can increase physical activity, social engagement, and brain stimulation. It may decrease social isolation, as new friendships emerge from the shared experience of volunteering. Moreover, it can promote confidence and enhance one’s sense of meaning and purpose. Volunteering might be particularly beneficial to cognitive functioning because it allows older adults to engage in, and master, complex tasks, many of which might be new to them.Less

Housing the Healthy Camper: Tents, Cabins, and Attitudes toward Health

Abigail A. van Slyck

in A Manufactured Wilderness: Summer Camps and the Shaping of American Youth, 1890-1960

This chapter examines the site associated with sleeping, areas considered particularly significant in maintaining camper’s good health. In the earliest decades of organized camping, tents were the ... More

This chapter examines the site associated with sleeping, areas considered particularly significant in maintaining camper’s good health. In the earliest decades of organized camping, tents were the rule. The transition from tents to cabins is complicated by conflicting theories of disease prevention. A camp’s health-giving qualities had a great impact on the camp landscape. The focus on campers’ psychological well-being prompted the construction of elaborate cabins with integral socializing space that allowed counselors to assess the emotional health of campers. Such cabins were featured in the camp-planning manuals published by the YMCA, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire Girls in the late 1940s, which became common features of the camp landscape in the postwar camp-building boom.Less