**1. Introduction**

The term 'discourse' is used to refer to all forms of written and spoken language. Discourse analysis (DA) is a research methodology derived from the study of linguistics that analyzes the formal aspects of discourse, including basic units of speech and linguistic structures. Unlike traditional linguistics, DA goes beyond the literal meaning of what is spoken or written to explain how it operates within a social context. Thus, it analyzes how meaning is constructed through language within the context of the social world [1].

Critical discourse analysis (CDA) is an interdisciplinary research methodology used to analyze discourse. CDA, like DA, views discourse as a form of "social practice" ([2] p. 1) and investigates the social construction of meaning. In addition, the methodology draws from the field of critical studies, which deliberately focuses on the social and political forces that produce social phenomena as a means to challenge and change societal practices. Unlike DA, CDA seeks to critique and alter language usage in social practice, as opposed to merely explaining it [2].

CDA has been used as a strategy of inquiry in various disciplines, including sociology, communications studies, and psychology; it has also been used increasingly in population and public health (PPH) research [3]. The objective of PPH research is to investigate ways to prevent disease and promote health in populations [4]. Identifying the social determinants of health and reducing health inequities are integral goals of PPH research.

**Citation:** Naidu, J.; Paolucci, E.O.; Turin, T.C. A Critical Lens on Health: Key Principles of Critical Discourse Analysis and Its Benefits to Anti-Racism in Population Public Health Research. *Societies* **2023**, *13*, 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/ soc13020042

Academic Editors: Ranjan Datta and José Carmelo Adsuar

Received: 7 December 2022 Revised: 25 January 2023 Accepted: 31 January 2023 Published: 8 February 2023

**Copyright:** © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).

The social, economic, and political variables that shape health are social determinants of health (SDOH). Health inequities are unfair and avoidable disparities in health outcomes across populations [5]. Given the social and political orientation of PPH, the critical lens of CDA may be an effective study method for PPH research.

In this paper, we will present a brief overview of CDA and its research history and purpose. Then, we will define and discuss three fundamental principles that, we argue, are essential in successful CDA research, particularly in PPH: (1) CDA research should contribute to social justice; (2) CDA is strongly based in theory; and (3) CDA employs constructivist epistemology. We conclude with a critical appraisal of the methodology, focusing on its merits and limitations as well as its benefits for PPH research.

#### **2. Critical Discourse Analysis Overview**
