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13: Health and Medicine

  • Page ID
    2094
    • Anonymous
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    • 13.1: Prelude to Health and Medicine
      This page highlights a Foundation for Child Development study revealing that over 21% of U.S. children lived in poverty in 2010, with experts warning of serious health risks like obesity and chronic diseases. It emphasizes the link between social class and health, focusing on social determinants of health and current healthcare issues rather than medical causes or individual health strategies.
    • 13.2: Understanding Health, Medicine, and Society
      This page explores the sociological perspective on health and medicine, emphasizing the interplay of social factors like class, race, and gender. It critiques the traditional medical model for its individualistic focus and presents three theories: functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. The concept of Talcott Parsons' "sick role" is discussed, along with criticisms of his approach.
    • 13.3: Health and Medicine in International Perspective
      This page examines international health disparities, focusing on the challenges faced by poorer nations, such as high mortality rates and insufficient sanitation. It compares health indicators, revealing stark differences between low and high-income countries. The discussion highlights the U.S. health care system's inefficiencies and high costs compared to universal health coverage in industrial nations, which result in better health outcomes.
    • 13.4: Health and Illness in the United States
      This page explores the multifaceted impact of social class, race, ethnicity, and gender on health disparities in the U.S. It highlights that individuals from disadvantaged groups, particularly low-income African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans, face significant health challenges linked to socioeconomic factors, discrimination, and access to care. Gender differences are also examined, pointing to variances in health-seeking behaviors and mental health outcomes.
    • 13.5: Medicine and Health Care in the United States
      This page covers the evolution of U.S. healthcare, highlighting advancements and ongoing issues such as disparities in access, high uninsured rates, and the impact of managed care organizations. It addresses critical factors like hospital errors, the rise of complementary medicine, and ethical concerns. The page emphasizes the need for systemic reforms, focusing on preventive care and early childhood health, particularly for low-income families.
    • 13.S: Health and Medicine (Summary)
      This page explores sociological perspectives on health and medicine, focusing on how social factors like class, race, and gender affect health outcomes and access. It contrasts functional, conflict, and interactionist views on health disparities, addressing global issues in poorer nations and inequalities in the U.S. Despite advances in health indicators, significant disparities remain.


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