Biosociology of Health Effects of Genes and Environment on Health Effects of Genes and Environment on Health –Diseases in different parts of the world –Differences across developed countries –Sex differences in death and disease –Race and Ethnic Differences in Death and Disease –Sex differences in mental health Social Status influences Health Social Status influences Health –Physical health –Mental Health Health influences Social Status Health influences Social Status –Height and social status –Lack of deformity, disability and status –Beauty and status

Effects of both genes and environment on health The diseases you get are a result of your genetic predispositions and the environment you live in. The diseases you get are a result of your genetic predispositions and the environment you live in. Social behaviors also have a genetic basis Social behaviors also have a genetic basis Some social behaviors influence later health status Some social behaviors influence later health status –E.g. number of sexual partners

Diseases in different parts of the world One important aspect of your environment is whether you live in a rich or a poor country One important aspect of your environment is whether you live in a rich or a poor country In poor countries, you are much more likely to die of violent causes and infectious disease In poor countries, you are much more likely to die of violent causes and infectious disease

In rich countries, you are more likely to die of heart disease and cancer In rich countries, you are more likely to die of heart disease and cancer Variations among rich countries Variations among rich countries U.S. does poorly in infant mortality, for example. U.S. does poorly in infant mortality, for example.

Sex differences in death and disease Males are more likely to die, beginning in utero Males are more likely to die, beginning in utero Death rate for year old males is more than twice that of their female counterparts. Death rate for year old males is more than twice that of their female counterparts. Life expectancy is greater for women than men (US Men 75, Women 80). Life expectancy is greater for women than men (US Men 75, Women 80).

As a result, seniors are disproportionately female As a result, seniors are disproportionately female The longest lived person on record was Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment, who died at age 122. The longest lived person on record was Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment, who died at age 122.

Sex difference is found throughout the world Sex difference is found throughout the world Why? Why? Sex differences in lifestyle and diet Sex differences in lifestyle and diet –Evolutionary reason – more important for wellbeing of offspring that mothers stay alive

Race and ethnic differences In the U.S. African Americans at every age are more likely to die of almost every cause than whites In the U.S. African Americans at every age are more likely to die of almost every cause than whites Mostly because African Americans are more likely to be poor Mostly because African Americans are more likely to be poor

Sex differences in mental health Men are more likely to get most kinds of mental diseases, except for depression and anxiety Men are more likely to get most kinds of mental diseases, except for depression and anxiety Men are more likely to abuse alcohol Men are more likely to abuse alcohol True the world over True the world over

Leading causes of years lived with disability, year olds, world MenWomen

Social Status influences health Stress influences the way children’s brains develop Stress influences the way children’s brains develop Children who experience more poverty experience more stress Children who experience more poverty experience more stress Working memories have smaller capacities. Working memories have smaller capacities.

Being low man on the totem pole also influences stress levels and subsequent health. Being low man on the totem pole also influences stress levels and subsequent health. E.g. British civil service study E.g. British civil service study

Social status also influences mental health Social status also influences mental health People who have low levels of income and education are more likely to have poor mental health People who have low levels of income and education are more likely to have poor mental health

Health influences social status Health and nutrition affect height, which in turn influences social status Health and nutrition affect height, which in turn influences social status Tall men in particular benefit Tall men in particular benefit In U.S. Presidential elections, the taller candidate usually wins. In U.S. Presidential elections, the taller candidate usually wins.

Good health and nutrition, plus medical care, mean that you are less likely to have a deformity or disability Good health and nutrition, plus medical care, mean that you are less likely to have a deformity or disability Deformity and disability lower status in interactions Deformity and disability lower status in interactions

Healthy people are also more likely to be good looking Healthy people are also more likely to be good looking Beauty also brings better treatment from others and higher status. Beauty also brings better treatment from others and higher status. –Good looking people are more likely to be helped by strangers –Good looking people are more likely to be treated leniently in court

Conclusion Complex of feedback relationships between health and social status. Complex of feedback relationships between health and social status.