Responding to neoliberalism: A report card on our public health research agenda

Since neoliberalism was first embraced by the Reagan Administration, the social sciences have examined and advocated around the effects of its doctrine of free trade, deregulation, and privatization. How has the public health profession responded? This paper presents a study of the public health profession's research agenda over the broad historical period in which neoliberalism infused United States federal policy. Using content analysis of top public health journals (by impact) over decades, this historical analysis examines what questions have been addressed by our public health research agenda related to trade, deregulation, privatization and related topics, and what gaps remain. This presentation summarizes important findings to date and suggests a more proactive future agenda for public health researchers.