Epidemiological transition and public health: explanation or damnation?

Authors

  • Rubén Darío Gómez A Universidad de Antioquia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.rfnsp.894

Keywords:

Epidemiological transition, health transition, epidemiology, neocolonialism

Abstract

Since the 70s, two approaches, the Epidemiological Transition Theory and the Health Transition Theory
have had a remarkable influence upon the research and the policy management in the field of public health. In this paper the most important ideas of both viewpoints and the main debates around them are reviewed. Several objections are referred to formal aspects of the transition model. Some of these problems have been solved and others could be object of technical and methodological improvement. However, the strongest criticisms refer to their epistemological, ethical and political bases, especially to the links that have arisen am
ong the models of transition and the last health policies around the world. In this respect, some authors stand out the superficiality of the transitional models to explain the inequity and the determinants of health; they argue that these approaches are conservative and ambiguous and, as political instruments, they influence the studies and analysis of health situation and legitimate the sanitary reforms imposed by the
international agencies to developing countries.
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Author Biography

Rubén Darío Gómez A, Universidad de Antioquia

Profesor Facultad Nacional de Salud Pública

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Published

2009-03-06

How to Cite

1.
Gómez A RD. Epidemiological transition and public health: explanation or damnation?. Rev. Fac. Nac. Salud Pública [Internet]. 2009 Mar. 6 [cited 2025 Mar. 4];19(2). Available from: https://revistas.udea.edu.co/index.php/fnsp/article/view/894

Issue

Section

Opinión