The Social Construction of Health Medical sociology is the systematic study of how humans manage issues of health and illness, disease and disorders, and healthcare for both the sick and the healthy. The social construction of health explains how society…
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: Each of the three major theoretical perspectives approaches the topics of health, illness, and medicine differently. You may prefer just one of the theories that follow, or…
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: There are broad, structural differences among the healthcare systems of different countries. In core nations, those differences might arise in the administration of healthcare, while the care…
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: Health in the United States is a complex and often contradictory issue. On the one hand, as one of the wealthiest nations, the United States fares well…
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: Social epidemiology is the study of the causes and distribution of diseases. Social epidemiology can reveal how social problems are connected to the health of different populations. These…
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: The social construction of health is a major research topic within medical sociology. At first glance, the concept of a social construction of health does not seem…
Figure 19.1 Medical personnel are at the front lines of extremely dangerous work. Personal protective clothing is essential for any health worker entering an infection zone. (Credit: Navy Medicine/flickr) Chapter Outline 19.1 The Social Construction of Health 19.2 Global Health 19.3 Health in the United…
Economic Systems Economy refers to the social institution through which a society’s resources (goods and services) are managed. The Agricultural Revolution led to development of the first economies that were based on trading goods. Mechanization of the manufacturing process led…
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: Figure 18.10 Many college students and others attend job fairs looking for their first job or for a better one. (Credit: COD Newsroom/flickr) The American Dream has always been…
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: Figure 18.9 Instant communications have allowed many international corporations to move parts of their businesses to countries such as India, where their costs are lowest. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons) What…