Abstract

This paper aims to propose the concept of “Treatmentalization.” First, this concept is defined as dependency that occurs when people and society place emphasis not on prevention but on treatment of disease. Second, an example of treatmentalization through treating type 2 diabetes as a lifestyle-related disease is discussed. Finally, the structure and cause of treatmentalization is analyzed. In the past, main aim of medicine had been to prevent outbreak of infections. Humans were able to avoid many infections with such things as immunization and antibiotic drugs. However, as technologies improved, people increasingly sought to treat other injur and disease. Moreover, extension of medicine has been caused by medicalization and treatmentalization. This paper will consider treatmentalization concurrently with the progression of type2 diabetes as an example, and analyze its structure.