Policy Press
3 Structure and agency: making connections
Abstract
Today, the two leading causes of death, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, are projected to continue to increase over the next generation. Chronic ailments … include alcohol- and drug-related conditions, diabetes, asthma, Alzheimer’s, dementia, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and Parkinson’s, among others; and they are on the rise. Mental [chronic] conditions … including depression, addictions, and schizophrenia [and many others] are now the leading causes of disability, hospitalization, long-term use of prescribed pharmaceuticals, and a diminished quality of life … Reports suggest dramatic and continuing rises in chronic childhood disorders … including cancer, arthritis, autism, ADHD, diabetes, asthma, food allergies … Not generally considered curable, chronic diseases become the subject of ongoing ‘management’, that is, a life within the medical system. It is estimated that up to 50% or more of the world’s population has one or more such chronic conditions.1
The unsaid questions running through Teeple’s (non-critical realism (CR), pre-COVID-19) commentary include: Who is responsible? What is to blame? Is it inadequate individuals who do not choose to keep themselves healthy? Is it natural causes including genetics that overcome those with weaker bodies and minds, less resistant to physical or mental illness? Like many similar publications, the commentary goes on to list global problems in pollution of water, soil, air and food, oil spillage and nuclear waste as causes of illness. There are also socio-economic policies and inequalities, work-related stress and injuries, low pay and poor working conditions. Are global commerce and industry mainly to blame? Big Food, Big Drinks, Big Pharma companies are driven by cost-cutting and profit-led policies that promote unhealthy lifestyles.
Abstract
Today, the two leading causes of death, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, are projected to continue to increase over the next generation. Chronic ailments … include alcohol- and drug-related conditions, diabetes, asthma, Alzheimer’s, dementia, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and Parkinson’s, among others; and they are on the rise. Mental [chronic] conditions … including depression, addictions, and schizophrenia [and many others] are now the leading causes of disability, hospitalization, long-term use of prescribed pharmaceuticals, and a diminished quality of life … Reports suggest dramatic and continuing rises in chronic childhood disorders … including cancer, arthritis, autism, ADHD, diabetes, asthma, food allergies … Not generally considered curable, chronic diseases become the subject of ongoing ‘management’, that is, a life within the medical system. It is estimated that up to 50% or more of the world’s population has one or more such chronic conditions.1
The unsaid questions running through Teeple’s (non-critical realism (CR), pre-COVID-19) commentary include: Who is responsible? What is to blame? Is it inadequate individuals who do not choose to keep themselves healthy? Is it natural causes including genetics that overcome those with weaker bodies and minds, less resistant to physical or mental illness? Like many similar publications, the commentary goes on to list global problems in pollution of water, soil, air and food, oil spillage and nuclear waste as causes of illness. There are also socio-economic policies and inequalities, work-related stress and injuries, low pay and poor working conditions. Are global commerce and industry mainly to blame? Big Food, Big Drinks, Big Pharma companies are driven by cost-cutting and profit-led policies that promote unhealthy lifestyles.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of figures and tables iv
- List of examples v
- Acknowledgements vi
- Introduction 1
- Rethinking theories: the basis of practical research and problems with paradigms 11
- Basic critical realist concepts 41
- Structure and agency: making connections 65
- Health and illness research: value-free or value-laden? 95
- Four planes of social being: more connections 127
- Researching transformative change over time 145
- The point is to change it: connecting research to policy and practice 167
- ABCD – Articles, books, commentary and dictionary-glossary 181
- Notes 187
- References 207
- Index of subjects 237
- Index of names 243
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of figures and tables iv
- List of examples v
- Acknowledgements vi
- Introduction 1
- Rethinking theories: the basis of practical research and problems with paradigms 11
- Basic critical realist concepts 41
- Structure and agency: making connections 65
- Health and illness research: value-free or value-laden? 95
- Four planes of social being: more connections 127
- Researching transformative change over time 145
- The point is to change it: connecting research to policy and practice 167
- ABCD – Articles, books, commentary and dictionary-glossary 181
- Notes 187
- References 207
- Index of subjects 237
- Index of names 243
