Imperialism and Health: A Conceptual Framework

• In Event: 20820 - Section on Medical Sociology Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 16. Global Health

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between imperialism and health. While structural inequalities related to race, gender, and class have been extensively studied, the role of imperialism remains overlooked. The paper develops a conceptual framework to analyze imperialism as a systemic force shaping global health outcomes.
Drawing on a variety of theories of imperialism, from Hobson’s and Lenin’s seminal work, to more recent contributions by David Harvey and John Smith, a common understanding of imperialism implies the capitalist expansion into less-developed economies, resulting in extraction of resources, labor exploitation, and economic dependency.
The study identifies three primary pathways through which imperialism harms health. (1) Direct Violence: Wars, military interventions, and occupations cause mass casualties, infrastructure destruction, disease outbreaks, and long-term trauma. (2) Economic Exploitation: Sanctions, free trade agreements, and IMF-imposed austerity measures lead to malnutrition, healthcare privatization, and worsened social determinants of health. (3) Environmental Degradation: Climate change, extractivism, and ecological destruction disproportionately affect the Global South, causing pollution-related illnesses and displacement.
By examining historical and contemporary examples—from U.S.-led wars to neoliberal economic policies and ecological exploitation—this paper demonstrates that imperialism is a fundamental determinant of health inequities. The paper calls for a political economy approach to global health research and policy, emphasizing the need to challenge imperialist structures to achieve health justice worldwide. This work contributes to critical global health discussions by bridging political economy and public health, urging researchers to reframe health inequities through the lens of imperialism.

Author

• Juan C Ferre, Rowan University