International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Commercial Determinants Drive Political Determinants of Health in a Neoliberal Society; Comment on “Energy as a Social and Commercial Determinant of Health: A Qualitative Study of Australian Policy”

Document Type : Commentary

Author
Linda A. Selvey
School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
10.34172/ijhpm.8711
Abstract
Energy policies have a major impact on the health and well-being of the population. However, Australia’s energy policies rarely consider health and well-being in their policies. In Australia and in many other countries, energy policies, while developed by governments, are heavily influenced by commercial entities within the fossil fuel industry. This means that Australia’s energy policy does not reflect what climate science tells us is necessary for a safe climate. Australia’s environmental laws are insufficient to protect both nature and the environment. Environment and climate advocates have been urging the Australian government to strengthen these laws while industry, particularly the mining industry have been pushing to weaken them. This clearly demonstrates the strong intersection between commercial and political determinants of health.
Keywords
Health Policy
Energy Policy
Health Determinants
Climate Change
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  • Received Date 18 July 2024
  • Accepted Date 10 March 2025
  • First Published Date 11 March 2025
  • Published Date 01 December 2025