In his book, Development as Freedom, Amartya Sen talks about the importance of freedom as both the end and the means of development. Even wealthy countries have not achieved development if some citizens do not enjoy basic liberties. According to Sen, important freedoms are political freedom, economic facilities and social opportunity, among others, including the "opportunity to receive basic education or health care." These freedoms are not just important as a means to achieve higher income and a better standard of living-the commonly accepted measures of development-but because people treasure the ability to participate in their community and live the lives they want to live. What does Sen's concept of development as freedom mean for international health? If we accept Sen's thesis, what should we be doing differently in terms of health policy reforms and health management practices? Who decides how much health care is needed before people have the "enabling condition of good health" and are free from unnecessary morbidity and premature mortality. Do user fees for health care make people unfree? In the preface to his book, Sen says it is "aimed particularly at public discussion." This roundtable will provide an opportunity to discuss Sen's arguments and our own experience, and to see how the concepts can or should guide health policy and practice in the future.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the meaning of development as freedom; 2. Give examples of existing health policies or practices that enhance freedom, and ones that do not; 3. Suggest ways to make freedom more central in decision-making about health policy and practice
Keywords: Health Care Reform, Ethics
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: NA
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.