Health in social policy and social problems in health policy
Health in social policy and social problems in health policy

Summary/Abstract: Recent changes in Poland's classification of scientific fields and disciplines (2018, 2022) have impacted the organization of research institutions and the direction of studies, particularly in the social and health sciences. Unlike the natural sciences, which rely on stable classifications, the social sciences and humanities deal with complex and evolving subjects, making rigid frameworks problematic. This article argues that recent classification reforms, particularly concerning the social and health sciences, disrupt cognitive processes, weaken institutional coherence, and hinder the formulation of rational social and health policies. The argument focuses on one crucial dimension of the issue: the marginalization of integrative approaches that connect social and health concerns. This limitation adversely affects public governance and the effective design of real-world interventions in both domains. Given the intrinsic overlap between social and health issues in public policy, interdisciplinary research and action are essential. However, current academic administrative practices—including the proliferation of narrow specializations and the continual emergence of new subfields—discourage genuine interdisciplinarity, despite official declarations to the contrary. Alarmingly, these trends persist with minimal resistance from the academic community, even as their negative consequences are acknowledged. The reflections presented in this article stem from the author's research across the fields of health policy (including public health) and social policy. The text is organized into three sections: health-related issues, social policy, and the intersection of the two. The article concludes with reflections and recommendations aimed at scholars and policymakers in both the social sciences and humanities, as well as the health and natural sciences.

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