Making public health policy: what place for the alcohol-dependent?

McLean, S. (2009) Making public health policy: what place for the alcohol-dependent? Journal of Law and Medicine, 17(3), pp. 373-385.

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Abstract

Although public policy in general, and health policy in particular, can be powerful and effective tools in shaping a "healthy" environment for citizens, the influences and agendas that underpin them are often lacking in transparency. In the case of the alcohol-dependent, the critical importance of identifying strategies appropriate to their specific needs is often sidelined. This, it is argued, results in part from the influence of the alcohol industry on governments and on social conditions and in part from the ethical underpinnings of public health policy, which depends on maximising social benefits even at the expense of "hard to reach" groups. In addition, much of alcohol policy rests on the kind of' "healthy living" message that appeals to the otherwise healthy While not infantilising people who are dependent on alcohol, consideration must be given to the extent to which their ability to choose health is compromised by the nature of dependence itself.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McLean, Professor Sheila
Authors: McLean, S.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Law
Journal Name:Journal of Law and Medicine
ISSN:1320-159X

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
450791An ethical and legal critique of alcohol control policies in the United KingdomSheila McLeanArts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)AH/E008739/1Law