Experts advocate for reframing death as a health justice issue

Researchers and practitioners are advocating for a shift in how society approaches death and dying, framing these conversations as essential to health justice and agency. At a community event held at the University of New South Wales, experts discussed how the cultural taboo surrounding death can strip individuals of their autonomy in healthcare access.

Dr. Na’ama Carlin, a sociologist, noted that language plays a critical role in this dynamic. She argued that framing death through an individualistic lens, such as saying someone ‘lost a battle’ to cancer, can obscure the role of the healthcare system. By reframing death as a natural human experience rather than a medical failure, proponents suggest that dying individuals can better access systems that meet their specific health needs.

Other experts, including resilience researcher Dr. Lucy Hone, described modern societies as ‘grief-phobic’ and ‘grief-illiterate.’ They suggest that confronting the reality of death can be life-affirming and that collective grieving allows for better emotional support. Philosophers also noted that death disrupts the forward-looking orientation of life, contributing to widespread societal discomfort.