Theories of health and disability: Marxist

Overview of Marxist Perspective

Marxist theories of health and disability emphasise a social class perspective, suggesting that socio-economic status is the primary determinant of health outcomes.
They argue that health disparities are a result of capitalism and stem from the inequalities and exploitations within this system.
Major health disparities between different socio-economic groups are seen as a reflection of the fundamental inequalities under capitalism, including differences in wealth, power and access to resources.

Illness and Worker Exploitation

According to Marxists, the capitalist system exploits workers by pushing them to achieve maximum productivity, often at the detriment of their health and safety.
Long working hours, poor working conditions, and job insecurity can lead to physical harm and psychological distress among workers. This creates a higher prevalence of illness and sickness among the working class.
Marxists also argue that the capitalist system commodifies health, turning it into a product that can be bought, sold and profited from, rather than a basic human right.

Health Care System Critiques

Marxists criticise the health care system under capitalism, arguing it often prioritises profit over patient care.
They suggest that pharmaceutical companies, private health care providers and others within the health care industry exploit people’s need for health care for their own financial gain.
The health care system, in their view, is fundamentally flawed as it is more focused on treating diseases rather than preventing them – largely because there is more profit in treatment than in prevention.

Marxist Solutions

Marxists advocate for a radical transformation of society to a socialist or communist system, where health care is democratically controlled by the people for the common good, rather than for profit.
They suggest that economic equality and removal of exploitative practices within the workplace can help achieve better health outcomes for all.

Remember, while Marxist theories offer a critical perspective on health and disability, they are just one approach and their views are contested by other sociological theories.