SOCA02H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Circular Definition, Disease Mongering, Maternal Death
Document Summary
Structural relationship between society and health: both the causes and the consequences of health are social. Social construction of health and disease: definition of health is social. Attributed to drauzio varella: in today"s world five times more time and money is being invested in drugs for male virility and silicone implants for women, than in the cure of alzheimer"s disease. We"ll have a generation of old people with perky breasts and hard penises, but none of them will remember what to do with them. Health is necessary for the smooth running of the social system. All social structures need to operate efficiently in order for the social system to maintain good health for the population. The sick role: sets illness apart from deviance and enables smooth functioning of society despite illness. The sick are exempted from normal roles and duties. They are expected to want to recover and seek out technically competent help.
