medicalization
MED-i-kuh-li-ZAY-shun
Definition
The process by which non-medical conditions or aspects of life are increasingly defined, treated, or managed as medical problems.
Etymology
The word is derived from the noun 'medical'—originating from the Latin 'medicus' (physician)—combined with the suffix '-ize' and the noun-forming suffix '-ation'. It entered English usage to describe the social transformation of human experiences into diagnostic categories.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe a trend in the pet industry where pet care is shifting toward professional medical interventions and treatments for issues previously managed through lifestyle or diet alone. It highlights the growing integration of pharmaceuticals and clinical diagnostics into the routine care of household animals.
Fat cat? Weight-loss drugs may be coming for your overweight pet
Read the full article ↗CNBC