Medical sociology
Medical Sociology
Medical Sociology (pronunciation: med-i-kal soh-see-ol-uh-jee) is a sub-discipline of sociology that studies the social causes and consequences of health and illness.
Etymology
The term "Medical Sociology" is derived from the Latin word "medicus", meaning "physician", and the Greek word "logia", which refers to the study of something.
Definition
Medical Sociology is concerned with the relationship between social factors and health, with a focus on the social behaviors, social structures, and socialization processes that influence health and illness. This field of study examines how social life impacts morbidity and mortality rate and how health and illness impact social life.
Related Terms
- Health Disparities: Differences in health outcomes and their causes among groups of people.
- Social Epidemiology: The study of how social behavior and structures affect the onset and spread of diseases.
- Healthcare System: The organization of people, institutions, and resources to deliver healthcare services to meet the health needs of target populations.
- Sociology of Health and Illness: A field of sociology that examines the social aspects of health and disease.
Major Theories
Medical Sociology includes several theories that explain how social factors affect health. These include the Social Production of Disease theory, which argues that social and economic conditions directly affect health, and the Social Construction of Illness theory, which examines how society shapes perceptions and experiences of health and illness.
Importance
Medical Sociology provides insights into how social factors such as class, race, and gender can affect health outcomes. It also helps in understanding how societal structures and processes can affect health policies and healthcare delivery.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Medical sociology
- Wikipedia's article - Medical sociology
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