AAM_for_prevention_is_better_than_cue.pdf (436.11 kB)
Prevention is better than cure, but...: Preventive medication as a risk to ordinariness?
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 16:54 authored by Helen C Eborall, Catherine WillCatherine WillPreventive health remains at the forefront of public health concerns; recent initiatives, such as the NHS health check, may lead to recommendations for medication in response to the identification of 'at risk' individuals. Little is known about lay views of preventive medication. This paper uses the case of aspirin as a prophylactic against heart disease to explore views among people invited to screening for a trial investigating the efficacy of such an approach. Qualitative interviews (N=46) and focus groups (N=5, participants 31) revealed dilemmas about preventive medication in the form of clashes between norms: first, in general terms, assumptions about the benefit of prevention were complicated by dislike of medication; second, the individual duty to engage in prevention was complicated by the need not to be over involved with one's own health; third, the potential appeal of this alternative approach to health promotion was complicated by unease about the implications of encouraging irresponsible behaviour among others. Though respondents made different decisions about using the drug, they reported very similar ways of trying to resolve these conflicts, drawing upon concepts of necessity and legitimisation and the special ordinariness of the particular drug
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Health, Risk and SocietyISSN
1363-4593External DOI
Issue
7-8Volume
13Page range
653-668Department affiliated with
- Sociology and Criminology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2014-03-21First Open Access (FOA) Date
2014-03-21First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2014-03-21Usage metrics
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