Professor Jessica L.Roberts , Director of the Health Law & Policy Institute at the University of Houston Law Center , and Elizabeth Weeks , Associate Dean for Faculty Development at the University of Georgia School of Law , propose in this book a new protected category – the unhealthy – and a new form of discrimination – healthism. They say in the Preface that not all differentiation on the basis health necessarily constitutes healthism and their aim is to distinguish the “good” health distinctions from the “bad,” or “healthist” ones. They do not argue against differentiation on the basis of health status when doing so promotes responsible behaviors, but they do consider such differentiation undesirable when it perpetuates existing health disparities and social disadvantage. The first chapter discusses the meaning of the term “healthism.” Chapter two delves into understanding it and sets forth a rubric in table form with two major categories: 1) Characteristics ...
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