Bioprecariousness and vulnerability: An ethical approach to the issues of access to public health

Abstract

Introduction

During the Covid-19 pandemics, the access to patented products (vaccines) become a problem of public health due to their high prices, especially in the least developed countries. Buth the concept of access is also related to other health care-related issues.

Objective

This paper seeks to analyse these problems of access in public health by using the notion of bioprecariousness, that we generally define as the structural violence against life due to the lack of access to essential resources for life.

Methodology

We shall analyse bioprecariousness by means of literature concerned to the concept of vulnerability, health disparities and IP legislation and shall assess the negative impact of bioprecariousness on global health equity.

Findings

We shall present a taxonomy of bioprecariousness considering three different dimensions of health care in form of pharmacological, digital, and care-related bioprecariousness. From that point, we will explore the effects of each kind of bioprecariousness on public health, given that it increases vulnerability and health inequities simultaneously.

Conclusion

Bioprecariousness is a concept closely related to vulnerability, which results in important health disparities and unjust distribution of health-related resources, thereby increasing health inequities. We propose to address the issues related to bioprecariousness by applying adequate government policies.