Volume 17 - Supplement of 11th Annual Iranian Congress of Medical Ethics
IJMEHM 2024, 17 - Supplement of 11th Annual Iranian Congress of Medical Ethics : 1-2 |
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Community Medicine specialist. MD. Associate professor, Community and Family Medicine Department, Medical Faculty, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract: (1080 Views)
Over the past few decades, various models have been employed to assess health needs and allocate resources within the health sector. These models include economic approaches based on cost-effectiveness, epidemiological methods using indicators such as disease burden or disparities in health outcomes between socioeconomic groups, and comparative studies between societies or countries. Efficiency and equity are often seen as competing goals in the resource allocation process, making it challenging for health systems to achieve both simultaneously. Traditional approaches primarily focus on deficiencies and adopt an individualistic perspective. When individuals experience limitations due to disease or disability, the relationship between their health status and social functioning is not always directly linear. Disease and disability inherently tend to widen the gap between individuals and their ability to fulfill normal roles, responsibilities, primary social dependencies, and desired capabilities. The capability approach advocates for respecting the life contexts of individuals and collaborating with them to enhance their skills, assets, and capabilities. Instead of focusing solely on deficiencies and addressing them through resource redistribution, this approach emphasizes empowering individuals to manage their lives with minimal external interference. These capabilities encompass skills that allow individuals to navigate their social, economic, and personal environments effectively. They include:
- Interpersonal skills for fostering meaningful relationships.
- Technical skills for managing routine aspects of life.
- Emotional and psychological resilience to cope with challenges.
- Purpose-building abilities to find meaning and direction in life.
Such capabilities equip individuals to manage both the normal struggles of everyday life and significant life events. As capabilities are enhanced, individuals gain greater control over their life circumstances, thereby becoming more resilient. The ability to control one’s life world is a fundamental capability. The unequal distribution of this ability forms the foundation of health inequities, as not everyone has the same capacity to exercise such control. Health needs assessments based on the capabilities theory align more closely with the goals of achieving and sustaining equity in healthcare. By focusing on empowering individuals and addressing their life contexts, this approach provides a more holistic and equitable framework for health resource allocation.
Type of Study: Oral Presentation |
Subject:
Health Ethics Congress (11th) - Oral Presentation
Received: 2025/05/6 | Revised: 2026/01/12 | Accepted: 2024/12/22 | Published: 2024/12/22
Received: 2025/05/6 | Revised: 2026/01/12 | Accepted: 2024/12/22 | Published: 2024/12/22
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