13: Health and Health Care
- Page ID
- 14492
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 13.1: Sociological Perspectives on Health and Health Care
- This page examines sociological perspectives on health and medicine, including functionalism, which emphasizes the importance of health for societal function; conflict theory, which critiques inequalities in healthcare; and symbolic interactionism, highlighting health as a social construct. It acknowledges advancements in scientific medicine while noting economic criticisms and the dynamics of patient-physician interactions.
- 13.2: Global Aspects of Health and Health Care
- This page discusses global health disparities, emphasizing stark contrasts in health indicators between wealthy and poor nations, particularly regarding infant mortality and life expectancy. While poorer countries struggle with malnutrition and diseases like HIV/AIDS, industrialized nations (excluding the U.S.) provide national health coverage that enhances health outcomes. The analysis suggests that the U.S.
- 13.3: Problems of Health in the United States
- This page examines the significant impact of social class, race, ethnicity, and gender on health and healthcare in the U.S., emphasizing persistent disparities despite overall health improvements. Poor populations and racial/ethnic minorities experience higher chronic illness risks and lower life expectancies, influenced by socioeconomic factors, inadequate healthcare access, and stress from discrimination.
- 13.4: Problems of Health Care in the United States
- This page examines critical issues in the US healthcare system, particularly focusing on private insurance and the high expenditures that fail to yield better health outcomes compared to other nations. It highlights the consequences of uninsured Americans, especially among marginalized racial and income groups, and points out systemic problems such as administrative costs, the fee-for-service model, and managed care limitations.
- 13.5: Improving Health and Health Care
- This page discusses the prevailing challenges in the U.S. health-care system, including accessibility and quality, particularly for vulnerable populations affected by social disparities. Suggested reforms include addressing inequalities, expanding preventive care, adopting a single-payer system, and learning from others' models. Integrated care is emphasized for cost savings and improved patient outcomes.
- 13.6: End-of-Chapter Material
- This page explores sociological perspectives on health and medicine, focusing on how social backgrounds impact health care access and outcomes. It highlights three theories: functionalism, conflict, and interactionism, and notes global health disparities, especially in the U.S., where key health indicators are poor due to issues like lack of universal insurance and biases in care. The page suggests solutions such as volunteering and advocating for health reforms to address these challenges.