Health and development in the Maltese Islands

After analysing the major theoretical contributions to health and development, the author develops a dialectical materialist approach. Health, both physical and mental, is defined as a movement of energy that is simultaneously conserved and expanded. It is reality in movement. It is the vital ingredient of labour power and the capacity to create. Fundamental to humanity's health, both on a personal and public level, is productive activity. The relations and forces of production are the main determinants of public health. The relative power of the oppressed and the contemporary means of production affect both the type and spread of disease. In the specific historic Investigation of health and development in the Maltese Islands, the prevalence of contemporary diseases is appraised with reference to the balance of forces between nations, classes and the sexes. The particular significance of imperialism, merchant capital and religion is discussed. Examination of three major diseases, cholera, undulant fever and cancer, between 1837 and 1987, is the empirical basis of the thesis. The transition from high mortality rates to high morbidity rates in the past forty years reflects Malta's late and uneven development. Health policy to overcome disease is limited because health and disease are manifestations of the mode of production. Health in developing countries is placed in the dialectic of imperialism and development, chauvinism and development and, essentially, the dialectic of capitalism and development

Cancer in Malta : trends in mortality and incidence rates of lung and breast cancer

Health and development are interlinked. This paper is a first step in the epidemiology of lung and breast cancer in Malta over the last thirty years. It provides raw material and suggestive correlations. Cancer has become a major cause of illness and death in every age group, but in particular the over sixties. A significant increase in lung cancer mortality and in particular breast cancer morbidity and mortality is apparent. Locational studies show a higher incidence in particular of lung cancer in the Inner Harbour Region where the docks, shipbuilding, many textile and other industries, and the coal-fired power station, are located and where the working class is concentrated. The lack of government controls on known carcinogens such as asbetos, together with clear results of occupational cancer studies done in say USA or Britain, indicate that there is an urgent need to control and eliminate local carcinogenic hazards.peer-reviewe

Why dread what is preventable?

Cancer cases and deaths in the Maltese Islands have been rising while most other killers, such as heart disease or diabetes, have been declining. Whilst the overall cancer rate remains below most industrialised countries, the increase of breast and lung cancer, especially since the 1970's, has been phenomenal. I t is the purpose of this paper to examine possible causes and suggest preventive action.peer-reviewe

Usury : causes and impact on wellbeing

As neo-liberalism became the accepted way of life, profit on interest has lost its negative and unethical connotations and has become a social norm. Usury however is considered an economic crime since the lender is not an authorised financial institution and is charging in excess of the interest rate restrictions of 8% established under Maltese Civil and Criminal Law. Despite its criminalisation, usury remains a widespread though hidden phenomenon within the Maltese Islands. Usury flourishes in corrupt settings driven by extortion, fear and violence. Yet, it is not considered a vital issue in terms of policy development and evidence-based practice. The research shows that there are various factors which may lead one to turn to usury, varying from structural factors to personal circumstances. Moreover, usury has a wide-ranging negative impact on all spheres of the victim’s life, financially, socially, psychologically and emotionally. Usury is indeed a vicious cycle which perpetuates itself on both the macro-community as well as on the personal level, leading to ever-increasing traps of over-indebtedness. Soundly based on qualitative research with stakeholders involved in the field, this exposition aims to raise awareness of the causes of usury and the impact that it has on both personal and social wellbeing, whilst setting forth vital policy recommendations.peer-reviewe