"A healthy life" are Commodities in a Capitalist Socio-economic System

Lawrence Weiss Interview; Region X (7/18/16)

1. Identification:

-What is your name? Lawrence D. Weiss PhD

-Where were you born? USA

-Where did you grow up? USA

-Profession currently: Retired

-Region working in right now: Anchorage Alaska

-State living in right now: Alaska

2. Why are you interested in public health and how did you get into the field of public health?

Public health interests me because it is often intensely political, deals with very real issues of interest to everyone, has a huge policy component, and the subject matter is very broad, and it often deals with the public sector on many levels as well as private sector.

3.What is health equity to you?

From the Health Equity Institute: 

Healthy People 2020 defines health equity as the "attainment of the highest level of health for all people." Everyone deserves a fair chance to lead a healthy life. No one should be denied this chance because of who they are or their socio-economic opportunities. 

This definition is a good place to start, in my view.

4.What are some challenges (that still persist) within the field of health equity in public health?

Many of the factors contributing to "a healthy life" are commodities in a capitalist socio-economic system, or are influenced by dominant socio-economic values conditioned by a capitalist system. All of this systematically works against "a fair chance to lead a healthy life" for all, regardless of socioeconomic status.

5.Why do you think those challenges still persist?

The dominant institutions in our society value money and profits over the actual, practical attainment of health equity. International comparisons with, for example, much of Europe, Canada, and Cuba give some insight to what this really means.

6.What models within your workforce have worked to encourage health equity?

Not really sure what "your workforce" means in this context. Public k-12 schools have programs that tend to promote health equity. Community health centers (FQHCs) tend to promote health equity. Some public infrastructure and policies tend to promote a healthy life for all, but even here it is mitigated by the wealth of the community, public and to a lesser extent private programs to feed and house low-income persons promote health equity... A unionized workforce tends to approach health equity more effectively than a non-unionized workforce. 

7. At the beginning of your career, what were some root causes for health inequities and health disparities? How has those changed (or not at all) following the end of your career?

The socio-economic system is largely the same, but there have been some mitigating factors on both sides, however those factors weakening the attainment of health equity have been predominant. In the last 30 years the percentage of the organized workforce has plummeted, resulting is stagnant wages and declining benefits for health and pensions. Overall health of the nation has plummeted by international comparisons on most standard measures. The cost of health care, and health insurance, and pharmaceuticals in the USA is the highest in the world, while the health of the people has been declining in international comparisons. The trends are not good at all, because the key issues have not been addressed. Lots of PR and tinkering around the margins, but the dominant socio-economic forces run counter to the requirements of real health equity for citizens and residents in the USA.