The above case studies suggest that Illich’s theory of Medical Imperialism remains relevant today. The studies indicate that there are potential benefits to medicalisation, providing individuals with resources to maintain their health and, as highlighted by Parsons, the “sick role” allocates space for individuals to recover from illness. In contrast, it is clear that the dominance of medicalisation now regulates the everyday behaviour of individuals and emphasis is placed upon concepts of “deviance” and “normality”, the aim of the medical industry being to make a profit from disease and illness.
Illich’s (1975) theory of medical imperialism is supported when considering the medicalisation of sex, specifically FGM and designer vaginas. Although medicalising FGM works towards a harm reduction model, it also encourages acceptability of the procedure which is ethically unsafe and harmful to women’s health. The notion of deviant bodies and an increase in modern technologies have allowed a number of excessive medical procedures to arise such as the designer vagina, resulting in the medicalisation of a non-medical issue. Furthermore, throughout exploring the medicalisation of sex, it is apparent that Illich’s notion of medical imperialism is still existent within modern society.
In discussing Marxism and the notion of capitalism in relation to Illich’s theory of medical imperialism in society, it is evident that it can potentially have negative impacts on the lay individual. With modern technologies emerging and capitalism increasingly intervening with many aspects of society, it has been demonstrated through several works explored that it can destructively manipulate the way the ill sufferer gets treated. As capitalism has encouraged the harmful involvement of disease mongering, it has resulted in an increasing amount of individuals becoming reliant on unnecessary medicines. Illich’s initial negative outlook on medical imperialism has been supported within the theories displayed throughout this blog.
The Public Health movement aims to maintain and enhance the health of individuals by providing information on preventing and overcoming disease and illness. Despite this, issues arise with the level of regulation implemented upon society and the focus on “normality” and “deviant” bodies. Foucault refers to the “medical gaze” to criticise the power of medicalisation and the level of influence it has over the free will of all individuals in society, a view that continues into Illich’s theory of medical imperialism. However, Illich is able to explain how this power is no longer restricted to medical institutions and has moved into other institutions in society: schools and tackling obesity an example of this.
Overall, Illich’s claim of medical imperialism is a valid and accurate interpretation of medicalisation and its current dominance in society today.
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