The country struck up debates on White House conversations, which last discussed the health of the President, particularly his visits to specialists such as the doctor of Parkinson’s disease. These charges brought out prolonged debates and questions on transparency, privacy, and the duties of public officials when it comes to health matters.
81 years old, President Biden became the oldest person ever to assume the presidency in the United States. During his time as a politician, there were concerns, from time to time, regarding his personal health and whether he was fit to serve, mirroring broader public concerns about the personal health and mental fitness of holders of or candidates for the office.
The matter received fresh impetus after reports emerged that President Biden was in consultations with specialists, one of them being a neurologist specializing in Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that falls under the neurology and affects body movement, coordination, and other necessary bodily functions. There is no suggestion that President Biden has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but his consultations with specialists have stilled the tongues of various quarters getting him enmeshed in discussions and controversies.
These concerns, however, have tried to be assuaged by the White House in its assurance that the President is well and can discharge his duties appropriately. Press Secretary Jen Psaki insisted that President Biden keeps a sound health check—which is a standard procedure for people occupying such high-profile public office—and that any consultations with a medic are a part of routine preventive care.
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However, controversy has not been in shortage for this story. Some sections of the media and political pundits have accused the White House of being opaque in matters to do with the health of President Biden. Their argument is that the public has a right to know the health status of the elected head, more so when his health condition may interfere with his governance.
On the other side, the Biden partisans and White House have been making the case as to how vital the privacy of each and every citizen has to be protected, including on health matters. They insist that a person’s sickness, for that matter, should only be disclosed when it affects one’s ability to execute the work or is of something of great public concern.
The issue of transparency in presidential health disclosures is not new to American politics; other American presidents have had to battle speculations toward their health conditions and medical histories. This has further been a point of call in sparking standardized protocols and guidelines for disclosure regarding presidential health information for transparency against personal privacy.
The White House has also promised to provide regular updates and notify the public of any major developments concerning the state of the health of President Biden. This way, transparency is achieved, but not at the expense of the President’s personal health.
Beyond the political ramifications, the question of President Biden’s health is illustrative of more general public attitudes to aging, disability, and leadership. With increased life expectancy and lengthier tenures of leadership in office, such questions are bound to gain increasing importance with time.
