HEALTHCARE

Sociology of Health

Sociology of Health

Introduction

The concept of health is quite relative and its definition may vary from one person to another. However it is recognized that being healthy means being able to be physically, mentally and socially perfect while feeling good about the environment. But there are differences at the physical, mental and social aspects in which people live and we see that it is not only individuals who differ in these levels, but also groups of people (women, youth, and low-income people) (Kronenfeld, 2010, pp. 3-20). It speaks of health inequalities when there are differences between groups in terms of their health in relation to different "facts" social. These inequalities are reflected in differences in mortality rates between the most advantaged and most disadvantaged but also a stronger presence of the disease and unhealthy behaviours in the past. In addition, contrary to what one might think, the social inequalities in health have increased in recent decades. In this paper the concept, approaches and perspectives on study of mental illness and health inequalities have been discussed.

Discussion

Mental illness

It is an abnormal mental condition. Mental illnesses are related to changes of character and emotions. This change can be congenital and interpersonal emotional disabilities. The term disease of the mind refers to a condition with a specific pathology that causes signs and symptoms. There is another way of referring to mental illness, for example, mental disorder, psychiatric disorder psychological disorder, and other emotional problems.

Health inequality

Health inequities are differences in health levels of different socio-economic groups that are considered unfair and based on a detailed assessment of its causes. Health inequities are also defined as health inequalities that are considered unfair or stemming from some form of injustice (Benzeval and Judge, 1996, 215-20). Therefore, assessing health inequities, including the need for measuring what is or is not fair in a given society. While there are some methods that have been proposed, all are based on the need and value judgments are dependent theory of justice adopted and accepted explanations for the etiology of inequities observed, then a concept involving normative political.

Biological and Social Constructs of Health and Illness

Highlighting the multiple meanings perceived the organic, as well as relationships with medical systems, the anthropological focus allows restore the complexity inherent in the subject. It is of note that, at the origin, the distinction between social and biologically derived segmentation process by social reality and the increasing specialization of disciplines. The social dimension of the construction of health and illness includes several useful aspects to confront (Benzeval and Judge, 1996, 215-20). Indeed, the relations between biological and social, as well as the importance of taking each, are presented differently depending on us to care for biomedical practice for it representations are made professional standpoint by the layman in general, or for that of patients themselves, with varying degrees of disability. The social construction of mental illness is understood, first, through the study of the dichotomy between biological and cultural vision of human behaviour, and, secondly, ...