When Disease Strikes Leaders: What Should We Know?

Abstract

Diseases of heads of state can affect national policy. Yet, cases of cover-up are numerous and involve not only dictatorships but also open and democratic societies. No system of full disclosure is currently in place to ensure that the public has access to all the information needed to establish whether a candidate to the presidency or an elected leader can discharge the powers and duties of the office. Hence, this essay reviews how the illnesses of democratically elected heads of state have changed history; addresses how to ensure greater transparency, so that leaders will not only be unable to conceal incapacitating disabilities, but also be removed from office once impaired; and lastly discusses how illness does not necessarily imply incapacitation, even though separating the two might often be difficult. These are issues of great relevance to national politics and medical ethics. They are particularly important as the 2020 presidential election is underway, and four out of the five leading candidates are well into their 70s.

Skin conditions among 20th century politicians and world leaders

“…1 Cancer and cardio-vascular diseases may lead to disability with impossibility to carry out expected duties or unexpected death with power vacuum. 2 World history has repeatedly showed that politicians tended to keep their illnesses hidden from the public long before they became obvious. 2 French presidents Georges Pompidou and Francois Mitterrand both concealed their cancer from the public for a long time.…”

“…2 World history has repeatedly showed that politicians tended to keep their illnesses hidden from the public long before they became obvious. 2 French presidents Georges Pompidou and Francois Mitterrand both concealed their cancer from the public for a long time. 3 Cutaneous conditions are more difficult to hide, when they affect the face or hands or when systemic treatments have an impact on physical appearance.…”

From the Editor’s Desk: Medicine Past and Present

“…We have previously published short pieces on the continued impact of Tuskegee 12 and on the impact of health issues of American presidents. 13 This issue features a full-length essay by Dr. Danielle Fine and colleagues on the background of the opiate crisis, a topic that frequently appears in JGIM due to the magnitude of the national problem in opiate use disorder and overdose deaths. 14 We hope to publish scholarly articles that inform our understanding in a variety of domains: how systemic racism has pervaded medical institutions; the role of government in spaces of inquiry and sickness; how the pharmaceutical and device industries have shaped practice patterns; the influence of both famous and unsung individuals and organizations; how representations of healers, patients, and diseases affect public discourses and private decisions; and more.…”