Venkatapuram responds to "Positive epidemiology, revisited: the case for centering human rights and economic justice"

This commentary responds to the article by Qureishi et al (Am J Epidemol. 2024;193(10):1313-1317) that criticizes a new proposal for "positive epidemiology." They argue that positive epidemiology, as it is being proposed and conducted, ignores supraindividual social contextual factors that constrain the well-being of some individuals more than others, and it could exacerbate inequalities if applied at a population level, among other harms. They offer an alternative approach to defining causal factors that are helpful for well-being and seek to ground their view in human rights and economic justice frameworks. This commentary considers their criticisms of positive epidemiology and suggests that their alternative, as well as all research into positive health and well-being, would benefit from drawing on the ongoing debates and literature in health equity and justice philosophy. A coherent conception of health and well-being, the link between health/well-being and theories of justice, and the capabilities approach are discussed. The efforts at conducting epidemiology for the causes and distribution of good health and well-being grounded in justice are welcomed. This article is part of a Special Collection on Mental Health.