Hazardous good intentions? Unintended consequences of the project of prevention

Date

2008

Authors

Broom, Dorothy

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Sociological Association of Australia

Abstract

Preventing disease is by definition a valuable objective, and most debates have revolved around improving the effectiveness of prevention. In this discussion, I explore the latent functions - the unintended consequences - of what I call the 'project of prevention'. Although many latent functions are welcome, some have undesirable effects, and it is therefore important to instigate a rich exchange between innovative theory and rigorous research to minimise such effects I argue that the hazards are particularly acute in the absence of a reflexive and critical awareness of the political environment and the cultural economy within which prevention occurs. In the paper, I sketch the challenges to mobilising that awareness, show some of the limitations of the conventional theoretical approaches to prevention, and point to directions for developing more fruitful perspectives.

Description

Keywords

Keywords: Class; Gender; Health promotion; Latent functions; Sociology

Citation

Source

Health Sociology Review

Type

Journal article

Book Title

Entity type

Access Statement

License Rights

Restricted until

2037-12-31