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Improvidence, Precaution, and the Logical-Empirical Disconnect in UK Health Policy
1Keele Law School, Keele University, Keele, UK. j.parsons@keele.ac.uk.
Health Care Analysis : HCA : Journal of Health Philosophy and Policy
|December 26, 2022
Summary
UK health policies often contradict evidence, using logical arguments over empirical data. This analysis examines organ donation and abortion policies as examples of problematic decision-making.
Area of Science:
- Public Health Policy
- Health Services Research
Background:
- UK health policy development increasingly claims to be evidence-based.
- However, policy decisions may rely on logical arguments rather than empirical data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the disconnect between logical and empirical cases in UK health policy.
- To examine two specific examples: organ donation and abortion policy.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of UK health policy.
- Case study approach examining organ donation and abortion policy decisions.
Main Results:
- Organ donation policy illustrates an 'improvidence approach' where policy changes oppose evidence.
- Abortion policy exemplifies a 'precautionary approach' where policy changes are not made despite supporting data.
Conclusions:
- Both 'improvidence' and 'precautionary' approaches represent problematic public policy.
- Policymakers often fail to provide explicit justifications for disregarding evidence.
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