SEMINARS FALL 2008
HONR228M Public Health Politics
Monday, 2:00-4:30pm
Woodie Kessel, MD, MPH, Department of Family Science, UMD School of Public
Health
Hypothesis: The Art and Practice of Medicine and Public Health are Apolitical.
Did you ever wonder: Who decided that? What does that mean? When was that
determined? Where did that occur? Why did that happen? How come? Is that
right? Is that fair? Answering these seemingly simple questions is ponderous,
but all are rooted in politics - the process by which people make decisions
(wisely or other or not) on who, what, when, where, why and how things
are shared and distributed. Although generally applied to behavior within
civil governments, politics is observed in all human group interactions,
including corporate, academic, and religious institutions. Aristotle called
politics the "philosophy of human affairs" replete with all
of the mistrust, subterfuge and dishonesty embodied in a Greek tragedy.
The art and practice of medicine and public health are certainly rooted
in human affairs and arguably the means through which we secure the basics
for our well-being. Thus medicine and public health are not just subject
to the laws and practice of the health sciences but the political sciences
as well, replete with the best attributes of a Greek tragedy.
Today, we face health challenges that are far more complex and complicated than at any time in our past. Yet the field of medicine is showing rapid progress with new discoveries, treatments, policies and promise in regard to conquering these challenges. Our understanding of the basic science related to health and disease is expanding, so too is our understanding of the social determinants of health and their interaction. This course will explore the hypothesis that: The Art and Practice of Medicine and Public Health are Apolitical. Through discussion, literature review, newspaper articles, and expert opinion we will debate this question and seek to accept or reject this hypothesis based upon the evidence. We will explore contemporary political issues as they relate health, medicine, and public health, particularly as they relate to children and families. Issues such as access, coverage, payment, medical authorities, health literacy, health care costs, presidential candidate health plans, government programs, academic medicine, and the federal government's interests, roles, and responsibilities will be explored.
Classes will involve a mix of lectures, student presentations, and group discussion. Readings will come from newspapers, current medical, policy, and legal journals, and books. A topic chosen by the student will be presented in class and submitted as a brief term paper following a journal style format. Grades will be based on presentation, the term paper, and thoughtful class participation.
Selected References: [others to be added]
History and Health Policy in the United States: Putting the Past Back
in Critical Issues in Health and Medicine; Rosemary A. Stevens, Charles
E. Rosenberg, Lawton R. Burns
Plagues and Politics: The Story of the United States Public Health
Service; Fitzhugh Mullan
CORE: Social or Political History [SH]
