The Cult and Science of Public Health

A Sociological Investigation

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Medical, Reference, Public Health, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book The Cult and Science of Public Health by Kevin Dew, Berghahn Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Kevin Dew ISBN: 9780857453402
Publisher: Berghahn Books Publication: February 1, 2012
Imprint: Berghahn Books Language: English
Author: Kevin Dew
ISBN: 9780857453402
Publisher: Berghahn Books
Publication: February 1, 2012
Imprint: Berghahn Books
Language: English

In contemporary manifestations of public health rituals and events, people are being increasingly united around what they hold in common—their material being and humanity. As a cult of humanity, public health provides a moral force in society that replaces ‘traditional’ religions in times of great diversity or heterogeneity of peoples, activities and desires. This is in contrast to public health’s foundation in science, particularly the science of epidemiology. The rigid rules of ‘scientific evidence’ used to determine the cause of illness and disease can work against the most vulnerable in society by putting sectors of the population, such as underrepresented workers, at a disadvantage. This study focuses on this tension between traditional science and the changing vision articulated within public health (and across many disciplines) that calls for a collective response to uncontrolled capitalism and unremitting globalization, and to the way in which health inequalities and their association with social inequalities provides a political rhetoric that calls for a new redistributive social programme. Drawing on decades of research, the author argues that public health is both a cult and a science of contemporary society.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In contemporary manifestations of public health rituals and events, people are being increasingly united around what they hold in common—their material being and humanity. As a cult of humanity, public health provides a moral force in society that replaces ‘traditional’ religions in times of great diversity or heterogeneity of peoples, activities and desires. This is in contrast to public health’s foundation in science, particularly the science of epidemiology. The rigid rules of ‘scientific evidence’ used to determine the cause of illness and disease can work against the most vulnerable in society by putting sectors of the population, such as underrepresented workers, at a disadvantage. This study focuses on this tension between traditional science and the changing vision articulated within public health (and across many disciplines) that calls for a collective response to uncontrolled capitalism and unremitting globalization, and to the way in which health inequalities and their association with social inequalities provides a political rhetoric that calls for a new redistributive social programme. Drawing on decades of research, the author argues that public health is both a cult and a science of contemporary society.

More books from Berghahn Books

Cover of the book The Allure of Capitalism by Kevin Dew
Cover of the book The Discipline of Leisure by Kevin Dew
Cover of the book Protest Beyond Borders by Kevin Dew
Cover of the book Conversion and the Politics of Religion in Early Modern Germany by Kevin Dew
Cover of the book The Challenge of Epistemology by Kevin Dew
Cover of the book Ethical Consumption by Kevin Dew
Cover of the book On Prayer by Kevin Dew
Cover of the book Who are 'We'? by Kevin Dew
Cover of the book The Third World in the Global 1960s by Kevin Dew
Cover of the book Memorializing the GDR by Kevin Dew
Cover of the book Postcolonial Migrants and Identity Politics by Kevin Dew
Cover of the book The Ways of Friendship by Kevin Dew
Cover of the book The State We're In by Kevin Dew
Cover of the book Parallel Lives Revisited by Kevin Dew
Cover of the book Talking Stones by Kevin Dew
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy