The social institution responsible for the maintenance of health

and the advancement of the practice and use of medicine.

Physical

Mental

Social

Cultural patterns define health. Yaws (skin disease)

Cultural standards of health change over time. Women & college; cigarette smoking; bathing

A society’s technology affects people’s health. Sanitation; use of world’s resources

Social inequality affects people’s health Access to healthcare; technology; illnesses of affluence

Age, Gender, Class, & Race

Eating Disorders

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Ethics of Death

Sick Role • patterns of behavior for those who are ill

Physicians Role

Illness is socially defined What is considered sick in one place may be

considered normal somewhere else

Treatment as a Stage (dramaturgy) Gynecological exam, esp. by male doctor

Access to care US is the only industrialized nation w/o universal

healthcare.

Profit

Politics Discrimination w/in profession “supported” by

science (hysteria) Ignores social issues like poverty