On health needs: the concept labyrinth

Abstract

This study aims to reflect on the intertwining of certain key ideas about what we call “health” within the hegemonic biomedical paradigm: health, disease, health needs, medicalization and medical-industrial complex. This reflection is based on the philosophical contributions of Heller and Wiggins on needs; on the discussion of some authors, especially Canguilhem, about health and illness; and Collins’ sociology of expertise. After pointing out some of the conundrums that arise from the conceptual fluidity of the topics abovementioned, we present a path forward, based on Collins’ proposals about the role of experts in political arguments, to resituate the discussion on health needs.

Keywords

• Necesidades y Demandas de Servicios de Salud
• Filosofía
• Ciencia