SOC312H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Low Birth Weight, Infant Mortality, Degenerative Disease
Document Summary
Mortality: the aggregate incidence and number of deaths in a population at specified periods. Demographers use aggregate level analyses and more recently, emphasis on individual observations through cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys: both say that death rates and other mortality measures provide an accurate indication of pop"s overall health. Population health= crucial determinant of society"s economic prosperity and standard of living: ex. better health= more productive work force = higher levels of affluence. Socioeconomic status= key determinant in individual health (including quality of physical environment, lifestyle choices, etc. ) Social environments= support healthy lifestyles (support from families/friends/communities) Physical environment=poor air and water quality, pollution, exposure to toxic materials on job or at home compromise one"s health. Genetic predispositions condition wide range of individual responses that affect health (ex. some people more genetically prone to alcoholism) Robust health care essential to overall health of pop.
