Overview
This lecture examined how sociology approaches health and health care, emphasizing the social factors that influence health outcomes and access, and introduced the concept of social epidemiology.
Sociology's Approach to Health
- Sociology studies the social, economic, political, and cultural factors affecting health, not biological mechanisms.
- Health is viewed holistically, considering physical, mental, emotional, and social dimensions.
- Access to health care, health insurance, and social support systems impacts health outcomes.
- Society shapes how we define "health" and "sickness," making these concepts relative.
Social Implications of Health and Disease
- Social institutions and values influence judgments about what is "healthy" or "unhealthy."
- Technology and health standards have evolved, changing societal responses to diseases (e.g., flu pandemics).
- Health is closely linked to social inequality; access to resources improves health outcomes.
- Leading causes of death have shifted due to medical advances, vaccinations, and social changes.
Social Epidemiology
- Social epidemiology studies how health and disease are distributed across populations.
- Economic status, health care access, and social factors directly affect life expectancy and well-being.
- Hans Rosling's data visualization illustrates the impact of social and economic factors on health globally.
Factors Affecting Health Inequality
- Age and sex: Infant mortality and life expectancy differ by access to care and social conditions.
- Social class and race: Disadvantaged groups have higher infant mortality and lower life expectancy.
- Economic inequality leads to difficult health care decisions for low-income families.
Changes in Medical Practice
- Medicine increasingly treats patients holistically, considering environment, lifestyle, and mental health.
- Patient-doctor relationships have become more personalized and less clinical.
- Home visits and calming environments are returning to improve recovery and reduce patient stress.
- Patients are now encouraged to be informed and prepared, aiding faster and better care.
Health Care Systems
- The U.S. uses a two-tiered health care system: public (Medicare/Medicaid) and private insurance.
- Single-payer systems (e.g., Canada, Sweden, Japan) provide basic health care for all, with private options available.
- No society is fully socialist or capitalist; most blend social programs with market economies.
- Social programs (e.g., education, emergency services) exist alongside private services in most countries.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Holistic health — An approach considering all aspects of a person's well-being: physical, mental, social, and environmental.
- Social epidemiology — The study of how health and illness are distributed across societies and what social factors influence this distribution.
- Two-tiered health care — A health system combining public and private insurance or services.
- Single-payer health care — A system where the government funds basic health care for all citizens.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Watch the Hans Rosling video on global health trends (link to be provided by instructor).
- Prepare to focus on gerontology in the next lecture.