For a General Theory of Health: preliminary epistemological and anthropological notes

Cadernos de Saúde Pública

Naomar De Almeida Filho¹ 

[1] ,Universidade Federal da Bahia Instituto de Saúde Coletiva Salvador BA ,Brasil

关键词: Epidemiologic Models;    Theoretical Models;    Epidemiologic Methods;    Modelos Epidemiológicos;    Modelos Teóricos;    Métodos Epidemiológicos;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0102-311X2001000400002

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

In order to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the conditions allowing for a General Theory of Health, the author explores two important structural dimensions of the scientific health field: the socio-anthropological dimension and the epistemological dimension. As a preliminary semantic framework, he adopts the following definitions in English and Portuguese for two series of meanings: disease = patologia, disorder = transtorno, illness = enfermidade, sickness = doença, and malady = moléstia. He begins by discussing some sociological theories and biomedical concepts of health-disease, which, despite their limitations, can be used as a point of departure for this undertaking, given the dialectical and multidimensional nature of the disease-illness-sickness complex (DIS). Second, he presents and evaluates some underlying socio-anthropological theories of disease, taking advantage of the opportunity to highlight the semeiologic treatment of health-disease through the theory of "signs, meanings, and health practices". Third, he analyzes several epistemological issues relating to the Health theme, seeking to justify its status as a scientific object. Finally, the author focuses the discussion on a proposal to systematize various health concepts as an initial stage for the theoretical construction of the Collective Health field.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
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