The Sociology of Health & Illness EE23CY125

Aims & Objectives Evaluate definitions of health and illness Evaluate the bio-medical model of health and illness

Health The terms ‘well’, ‘healthy’, or ‘poorly’ all have commonsense meaning What does it mean to be unwell or well?

What is health?

Health and illness to most people relates to the extent to which people can get on with their day to day lives

What has influence over health and illness?

Ideas of health are based on concepts that have developed over hundreds of years The traditional medical view suggests there is a ‘normal’ body. What do you think?

Health is a relative concept ‘Good health may mean different things to an astronaut and a fashion model, to a lumberjack and a member of the stock exchange....’. (Dubos & Pines. 1980)

Blaxter (1983, 1990) In her studies, she noted that most people would define health as the absence of disease. There were however variations amongst age groups. Younger men = strengthOlder men = mental well- being Younger women = vitality and ability to cope Older women = contentment

The social construction of Health Social institutions and social norms, attitudes, values, behaviour and beliefs are socially produced rather than naturally given or determinedSocial institutions and social norms, attitudes, values, behaviour and beliefs are socially produced rather than naturally given or determined Sexuality and gender differences, illness, health and physical strength are all social states/ behaviours/ codes etc that are products of culture not biology.Sexuality and gender differences, illness, health and physical strength are all social states/ behaviours/ codes etc that are products of culture not biology.

The social construction of Health The concepts of both health and illness vary across time and culture

Culture to Culture Western Culture and obesity - a sign of ill-health thus socially undesirableWestern Culture and obesity - a sign of ill-health thus socially undesirable In non-Western cultures -a sign of affluence thus socially desirableIn non-Western cultures -a sign of affluence thus socially desirable

Culture to Culture Zulu women of South Africa are believed to pollute humans, animals and crops if they have contact with them during menstruation...they were most vulnerable to illness during this time as their uterus was then open, thus allowing cold air, water, ‘germs’ or witchcraft to enter.

Erwin Ackernecht (1947) Studied the incidence of spirochetosis among a number of indigenous peoples in South America

Change over Time Epilepsy in the Middle Ages was viewed as a violent possession by malevolent or even divine forces.Epilepsy in the Middle Ages was viewed as a violent possession by malevolent or even divine forces. Early part of the 20th century epilepsy linked with insanity.Early part of the 20th century epilepsy linked with insanity. Today we ‘know’ that epilepsy is caused by abnormal neurological activity that occurs as a result of damage or injury to the brainToday we ‘know’ that epilepsy is caused by abnormal neurological activity that occurs as a result of damage or injury to the brain However what we ‘know’ is subject to reinterpretation.However what we ‘know’ is subject to reinterpretation.

Change over Time A study of English beliefs about chills, colds and fevers revealed that people thought that certain areas of skin were more vulnerable to penetration of cold and damp etc. It was believed that you may catch a cold if you went out without a hat, or after having a hair cut, or stepped in a puddle or on a cold floor

L’Esperance (1977) ‘Hysteria’ – Linked to the oppression of women Hysterical women showed symptoms of laughing for ‘no’ reason – This did not happen to men. EVER!

Is it possible to have a disease and not be ill?

Definitions Health and illness are terms that are used frequently, and without much thought.

Positive Definition (H&H 2013) Acknowledges the concept of disease but brings a much broader social element into the definition. Suggesting that health is not just a physical state Concerned with a persons physical, intellectual, social and emotional well- being Regards health as feeling fit and well

World Health Organisation definition –"health is (…) a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity“

Negaitve Definition –Absence of disease or disability This definition is based upon medical concepts presented over the past few hundred years as the truth about how the body functions correctly. It assumes a state of health unless symptoms occur that deviate from the norm

Negative view Negative definitions of health tend to emphasise the objective lack of disease Medical professions tend to define health in a negative way. Suggesting it is just merely the lack of disease or disability.

Negative view Aggleton (1990) argues that this is problematic as we do not always feel pain when we are unwell....such general notions of health ignore the way in which we differ as individuals (Kirby et al. 1997)

Activity Suggest examples of how it might be possible for a person to be ill but healthy, or unhealthy but not ill.

Holistic approach Addressing the needs of the person as a whole.  Intellectual health  Spiritual health  Social health  Physical health  Mental health  Emotional health

Definitions of health and illness are very complex, in that there are cultural differences in how societies classify what health and illness are, the causes and the treatment. However because disease occurs in patterns it is thought that the conditions that determine health chances are social conditions.

 The way we think about health and illness is socially constructed as we are used to accepting the views of the medical profession.  In modern medicine our bodies are seen as machines and doctors as mechanics.  However studies by sociologists show that there is a range of environmental, political and behavioural factors that contribute to the construction of health and illness.

The Biomedical Model & The Sociomedical Model Research; What each approach is – what are the main elements and what do they mean? What positive and negative comments can be applied to both models?