Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Health and security

By Peter Curson - posted Monday, 15 February 2016


Without any doubt the first duty of the  Government is to protect all its citizens.  As a famous Roman statement – salus populi suprema est lex - has it, “the welfare of the people is the supreme law”.

Few in Australia would disagree when it comes to “stopping the boats”, protecting our borders and country against terrorism, maintaining law and order and contributing to overseas missions designed to make the world a safer place. But such an approach takes a very traditional view of security.

Some would argue that the Government has a basic responsibility to go further and protect and maintain the health and wellbeing of all its citizens.

Advertisement

With little doubt people are the wealth of nations and it is not simply the number of people which counts or whether they feel safe from border incursions or terrorism, but also their education, skills, abilities and all aspects of their health status.

People are the critical human capital which the Government has a responsibility to preserve, protect and bolster, for a healthy, robust nation free from the threat of disease and ill health is the basis of a successful, innovative and caring nation.

In Australia today the question remains – how far can the  Government go to actually protect us, not only during times of crisis, but generally in everyday life, or are we forced to fall back on our own resources and manage our own health?

If so can we do this in a meaningful  and preventative manner?

Many would perhaps argue that our health is our own responsibility and would aggressively oppose the Government  intervening in many aspects of our lives. But I believe there is a pressing need to fully appreciate that security is people-centred and that health and population dynamics play an important part in Australia’s security.  

Looking back at the past 200 years there is little evidence of the Government  being able to adequately look after us during times of epidemic crisis, and evidence suggests that during such times ordinary people have shown little confidence in the Governments’ ability to do so. In consequence people were often forced back on their own resources.

Advertisement

But it is not simply during such times that the Government fails to protect all its citizens but also at a time when we are confronted  by a wide range of threats related to young children, ageing, disability, obesity, diabetes, dementia, cancer, hearing, the internet, free speech and terrorism.

So who should be responsible for our health?

Should it be the Government, employers, corporations, the media or simply us? 

  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

11 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Peter Curson is Emeritus Professor of Population and Health in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Macquarie University.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Peter Curson

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Peter Curson
Article Tools
Comment 11 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy