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Is there a place for hope in the imagined future of public health? A commentary building on Freire’s sociology of hope.

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: By examining hope through a sociological lens, this commentary frames hope as a critical sociopolitical tool for public health to address structural inequalities and foster healthier communities. We draw on Paolo Freire’s pedagogies of oppression and hope, since they provide a ‘praxis of hope’. We explore the concept of hope – explaining what it is, to then consider what it enables – conveying the ways hope is imperative to human flourishing and imperative in the imagined future of public health. We present a case for public health engagement in developing ‘hope-based’ practices and policies which means working with communities to identify the factors acting as oppressive forces and then, through critical consciousness development, working towards overcoming these in a move towards hope (and health).

Source: Journal of Critical Public Health

DOI: 10.55016/ojs/jcph.vi.81658

Authors: Paul Ward, Belinda Lunnay

Institution: Torrens University Australia

Language: English

Topic: Public Health Policies and Education

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Australian Research Council