SOC102H1 Chapter 9: Reading for Week 8. Book: Social Problems, Chapter: 9
Document Summary
Aronowitz; framing disease", social patterning of health and subjectivism. Thomas dictum; what we believe to be true is true in consequences. Medical sociology; examines the social context of health, illness and health care. (social factors that promote illness and contribute to health inequalities). Biomedical view of medicine; western view of medicine; health as passive, illness as active process requiring treatment. Well being; state of existence characterized by happiness, satisfaction, etc. Health, state of physical, mental and social well-being. Overall, there is a biopsychosocial view of health and illness. Epidemiology; examines causes, distribution and control of disease in populations. Epidemiologist use indicators of health to examine different societies. Men catch up to women in life expectancy (as quantitative indicator of health). Also use, mortality rates (deaths/1000), maternal mortality rates. Infant mortality rate (deaths under 1yo/1000 live births) and u5mr. Morbidity rates (extent of disease in populations, incidence or prevalence). Terms; endemic (constantly present), epidemic (local/national outbreak) or pandemic (international).
