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Intro to Sociology Ch 13 Notes
Introduction to Sociology (SOC 110)
Des Moines Area Community College
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Chapter 13: Experiencing Health,
Illness, and Medical Care
13 Does Sociology Have to Do with Health, Illness,
and Medical Care?
Sociology helps us understand how social factors shape health and illness. Both health care professionals and the general public can benefit from understanding how the social environment and social conditions affect health and illness.
13 Illness Experience
Health and illness are social experiences because they affect more than our physical bodies. They also help shape the way we see ourselves and the way others see us. Illness can change the kinds of activities we can do, affect our social relationships, and put strains on our finances and families.
13 Key Terms
chronic illnesses: Diseases that last for several months or years or even persist until death biographical disruption: When a person’s usual activities and social life are disturbed acute illnesses: Illnesses that come on and generally leave relatively quickly—though they can cause death
13
Medicalization is the process by which conditions become perceived as medical conditions. Some conditions once seen as moral failures, such as excessive gambling and alcoholism, are now considered illnesses. As the health institution grows, medicalization increases.
13 Key Terms
medicalization: The process by which conditions become seen as medical conditions
13 Health Disparities and Social
Determinants of Health
Individual health behaviors (just like non-health-related behaviors) are shaped by society and social conditions. People may want to eat healthy foods, but if they live in a food desert or their utilities are turned off, they might make a reasonable decision to eat packaged and processed foods. The decision is shaped by their social circumstances, including their income and neighborhood.
13 Key Terms
fundamental cause theory: Argues that socioeconomic status is the most important factor that explains disparities in health food desert: An area with limited access to healthy and affordable food
13 Distribution of Illness
On average, Asian Americans have the longest life expectancy, followed by Latinos, Whites, American Indians, and then African Americans. The main factors shaping the shorter life expectancy of American Indians and African Americans are low socioeconomic status and racial discrimination. Asian Americans and Latinos have a long life expectancy in part because immigrants tend to have better health than those born in the United States. Relatively high percentages of both Asian Americans and Latinos are first- generation U. residents. Men die more quickly, but women are sicker. This is due in part to gender scripts. Women are more likely than men to ask for help and go to the doctor, have more social relationships, and have safer jobs. Women are also more
of age are most likely to be uninsured and thus have no or limited access to health care. There are several out-of-pocket costs associated with obtaining health services. In addition to paying for health insurance through premiums, consumers are usually responsible for copay and deductible charges. The high cost of health care means that people may delay treatment, making their illness worse when they finally do obtain care.
13 Key Terms
universal coverage: A health system in which the government guarantees that all citizens can receive health care Medicaid: A government program that covers disabled people and those within a certain percentage of the poverty line Medicare: A government program that gives some health insurance to people older than sixty-five underinsurance: When a person has health insurance, but, even with the insurance, health services are not affordable
Intro to Sociology Ch 13 Notes
Course: Introduction to Sociology (SOC 110)
University: Des Moines Area Community College
