Detecting Diabetes Risk: Philanthrocapitalism, Diagnostic Innovation and Epistemic Power in Mexico

Abstract

An expanding class of mega-philanthropic institutions, most often based in the Global North but increasingly based in the Global South, has emerged as a driving force in global health. Among them, the Carlos Slim Foundation—located in Mexico City and funded by Mexican-born telecommunications tycoon Carlos Slim Helú—has spearheaded an ongoing strategy to boost chronic disease prevention in Mexico, principally through the development and promotion of a series of cutting-edge diagnostic tests. In this research article I trace the Foundation’s efforts to develop these technologies and integrate them into Mexican health policy. With these technologies serving as powerful conduits of the Foundation’s epistemic power, I show that Carlos Slim’s philanthropic investments are reshaping goals in the public health field and fostering new understanding of chronic disease risk among health officials and experts in Mexico and beyond.

Screening Charity Recipients: Health Philanthropy, Medical Diagnosis, and Kidney Disease Prevention in Sri Lanka

“…Philanthrocapitalist interventions can also be viewed as reflecting a social investment approach that aims to foster public health by supporting innovation in the private sector (Vasquez 2021).…”

“Here it was waiting for me:” Diabetes Diagnosis Pathways and Implications for Health Policy

“…This is not an argument for mass screening, which has mixed evidence in terms of effectiveness (Kahn et al, 2010; Simmons et al, 2012), and risks detracting from social programs addressing underlying social inequities (Vasquez, 2021). We also recognize the serious risks of over diagnosis as well as pharmaceuticalization (Hunt et al, 2021; Yudkin & Montori, 2014).…”

“…Within U.S. cities, inequities in the built environment, working conditions, and health care access, among other factors, heavily contribute to racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic variation in diabetes (Hill-Briggs et al, 2021). Where and how diabetes screening occurs (Vasquez, 2021) as well as diagnostic criteria (Bunkley, 2021;Hunt et al, 2021) additionally can reflect political and private interests. This paper seeks to extend these discussions by examining how diabetes diagnosis unfolds for older adults in the urban U.S. context.…”