Vital mobilities of medical oxygen: Theorising oxygen justice
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: How can societal circulations of medical oxygen be more just? Informed by disparities experienced and lessons learned from the global Covid pandemic, we use vital mobilities to describe and analyse the social lives of medical oxygen and explore opportunities for oxygen justice. Inspired by two distinct yet related theoretical spheres – breath studies and health justice – and contrasting the experiences of high- and low-and middle-income countries, we highlight disparities in medical oxygen availability as a basis to theorise oxygen justice. Engaging with health systems as complex social interactions spanning a range of actors and activities, we use a desk-based ‘follow the thing’ approach to trace medical oxygen. The key contribution of this paper is using a material entry point to illuminate the systemic patterning and perpetuating of injustices, underscoring how health as a fundamental human right remains an elusive principle, and building on this, to theorise oxygen justice. We define oxygen justice as the uninterrupted and transparent availability and accessibility of medical oxygen at the point of health service delivery, enabling patients to realise their fundamental right to health and well-being. Focusing on vision, localisation, and circulation, we propose avenues for research in preparation for future global respiratory emergencies. • Uses vital mobilities to trace the social lives of medical oxygen. • Juxtaposes cases to illustrate global medical oxygen disparities. • Highlights medical oxygen justice as facet of health justice. • Theorises oxygen justice to inform future research and health sector preparedness.
Source: Social Science & Medicine
Institution: University of Manchester
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,390
OpenAlex ID: W4404579513