The Capability Approach: A Framework for Population Studies

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present the main elements of the Capability Approach (CA)

The capability approach: a guiding framework to improve population health and the attainment of the Sustainable Developmental Goals

“…Later, the concepts surrounding human capability were developed to the level of an analytical and normative theoretical framework (2). As this framework was developed while considering interdisciplinary perspectives, it is relevant to a wide range of disciplines, such as human development, nursing, medicine, public health, health economics, sociology, psychology, social policy and political philosophy (3)(4)(5)(6).…”

“…This framework proposes an innovative approach to examining and enhancing the quality of life and wellbeing of individuals by considering the opportunities available to them, their personal values, their ability to avail those opportunities, the availability of resources and the contextual characteristics to achieve desirable outcomes in their lives (4,7). It can be considered that all 5 concepts in this framework are interrelated and sufficient to reinforce the power of each other.…”

“…According to the framework, an individual's internal environment (knowledge, skills, biology and genetic predisposition) and external environment (social, political and geographic) affect human capabilities and functioning (4). Although the capability approach adapts the notion of environmental influences on human beings from the ecological framework, the uniqueness of this framework is consideration of the influence of human values, freedom, resources and contextual diversity in enhancing or minimizing human capabilities and functioning.…”

“…In our world, where issues like poverty and inequality are still prevalent, it seems essential to have a thorough assessment of the measures of poverty and inequality in order to be able to design a well-thought-out programme that can empower a vulnerable population. Stakeholders often consider assessing poverty, inequality and well-being through measures like income, household size, utilities and liabilities (4). Negating this practice, the capability approach suggests considering human capabilities to assess, analyse and resolve issues like poverty, inequality and affected well-being (4,6).…”

“…Stakeholders often consider assessing poverty, inequality and well-being through measures like income, household size, utilities and liabilities (4). Negating this practice, the capability approach suggests considering human capabilities to assess, analyse and resolve issues like poverty, inequality and affected well-being (4,6). Using the theoretical lens of the capability approach can be useful in diagnosing population health issues and designing contextspecific needs-based programmes for a targeted population with specific sets of capabilities, functioning, agency, resources and contextual factors.…”