Health is influenced by the shape of the society in which we live
By Paul Bolger. Chartered Physiotherapist at Nano Physiotherapy, Kilkenny (www.nanophysio.ie).
Political decisions affect the health of each and every one of us. Sometimes this link is straightforward and obvious – decisions about healthcare budgets, hospital beds and medication funding. But more often the link between politics and health is less obvious.
I’ll briefly touch on three different areas where political decision has a real and significant impact on the health of our communities.
Transport and Health
Decisions about transport priorities, planning and projects directly impact health here on this island. Better public transport, safe and accessible cycling infrastructure, and pedestrian-friendly town centres accessible to all are proven ways to increase physical activity levels – directly improving health. Lower air pollution, calmer public spaces and reduced traffic incidents come as serendipitous side effects.
Added to this, fair and quality access to public transport may allow people to engage more in their community and save on car costs – improving health, wellbeing and reducing financial strain.
Fairer Food Policy
We go to the doctor assuming we are going to be given fair, unbiased health advice. When we drink the water coming from our taps, we know there are laws and infrastructure in place to ensure it is safe. When we do our weekly grocery shop, should we perhaps hold the providers and suppliers of this food to a higher standard – should we expect them to consider health as a higher priority?
The food market is one of the largest industries in the world, with rising financialisation in the form of pension funds, private equity and asset management companies investing larger sums and expecting greater financial returns. In other words, the food industry is becoming increasingly about making a profit.
Maybe we should hold the people who profit from an essential need like food to a higher standard when it comes to how some products are advertised and placed in supermarkets. Can we shift the goalposts? Balance incentives away from profit and towards a more socially beneficial outcome – perhaps that would have deep and wide effects on the health and well-being of this small island of ours.
Economic Equality
Health and pain are associated with a person’s status in the society in which they live. Expert researchers point towards multi-layered reasons for this. While many of us are quick to point towards the individual as somehow deserving an unfortunate health condition (known as the ‘just-world fallacy’), researchers shine a light on many cultural, structural and interpersonal injustices that underlie pain and health conditions.
Political decisions, laws, cultural beliefs and economic forces all play a role in this. As such, they are all relevant when it comes to health and healthcare in our country.
I’m a physiotherapist, so I don’t have the answers to how we proceed here, but I do have faith that a more fair, equitable society is possible. After all, it all comes down to decisions that people make – decisions that result in a more just, equal, thriving society are absolutely possible. Our health depends on it.
