Shreejeet Shrestha provides an overview of sociology and its application in public health. Sociology developed from 19th century theoretical writings and emphasizes social structures and processes over individuals. Key concepts in sociology like social fabric, conflict, and social systems are highly relevant to public health. While psychology has traditionally dominated social sciences in public health, sociology is increasingly important for understanding large-scale social determinants of health like inequality, social capital, and health systems. Sociological methods involving both quantitative and qualitative data are valuable tools for public health research and evaluation.
introduction
Sociology and psychology in public health
Theories of sociology and psychology
Sociological and psychology methods, investigations and interventions.
Developing interventions to change health-related behaviour and;
Conclusion
introduction
Sociology and psychology in public health
Theories of sociology and psychology
Sociological and psychology methods, investigations and interventions.
Developing interventions to change health-related behaviour and;
Conclusion
The general shift from acute infectious and deficiency diseases characteristic of underdevelopment to chronic non-communicable diseases characteristic of modernization and advanced levels of development is usually referred to as the "epidemiological transition".
https://userupload.net/6jbhjqr3gczd
Behavioural sciences explore the cognitive processes within organisms and the behavioural interactions between organisms in the natural world. It involves the systematic analysis and investigation of human and animal behavior through the study of the past, controlled and naturalistic observation of the present, and disciplined scientific experimentation and modeling. It attempts to accomplish legitimate, objective conclusions through rigorous formulations and observation.[1] Examples of behavioral sciences include psychology, psychobiology, anthropology, and cognitive science. Generally, behavior science deals primarily with human action and often seeks to generalize about human behavior as it relates to society
This presentation describes the Evolution of Community Medicine from the word hygiene to public health to preventive and social medicine to community medicine . It is a very simple presentation which describes difference between doctor ,good doctor and a very good doctor. It also includes recent IAPSM ( INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF PREVENTIVE AND SOCIAL MEDICINE) definition of Community Medicine and what are the key functions of Community Medicine Specialist. it also describes concept of Socialized Medicine.
SOCIOLOGY & HEALTH ,SOCIOLOGY, DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND DISEASE ,FAMILY ,types of family, SOCIAL GROUPS,
TYPES OF SOCIAL GROUP, SOCIAL CLASS, WESTERN WAY OF DIVIDING SOCIETY ,OUR WAY OF DIVIDING SOCIETY,
GENDER ,CHILD REARING PRACTICE ,TYPES OF PARENTING,
Social Determinants and Global Health
Julius Global Health, Julius Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
For more information: www.globalhealth.eu
Health is a multifactorial
The factors which determine the health of an individual are many, some are inside the body ( genetic/ intrinsic) and some are outside the body ( environmental factors)
The interaction of these factors may either promote or deteriorate the health.
The important determinants of health are,
A presentation by Karen Nelson, MBA, MSW, RSW, of the Ottawa Hospital, made to social workers at their 2013 Annual Meeting. A very thorough overview with significant research supporting the link between Social Determinants of Health and healthcare outcomes.
The course is to a large extend considered satisfactory for the meant students as it offers the candidates the base line knowledge in social aspects of the health , social systems and their impact on health and /or illness
The course imparts the basic concepts and understanding in Sociological and Anthropological subject matter, theories, concepts, trends and cultural systems. The course aims to impart the basic concepts and the knowledge in medical sociology/anthropology, socialization in health, culture and health, provider consumer relationships in public health, indigenous health care system and alternative health care practices.
The general shift from acute infectious and deficiency diseases characteristic of underdevelopment to chronic non-communicable diseases characteristic of modernization and advanced levels of development is usually referred to as the "epidemiological transition".
https://userupload.net/6jbhjqr3gczd
Behavioural sciences explore the cognitive processes within organisms and the behavioural interactions between organisms in the natural world. It involves the systematic analysis and investigation of human and animal behavior through the study of the past, controlled and naturalistic observation of the present, and disciplined scientific experimentation and modeling. It attempts to accomplish legitimate, objective conclusions through rigorous formulations and observation.[1] Examples of behavioral sciences include psychology, psychobiology, anthropology, and cognitive science. Generally, behavior science deals primarily with human action and often seeks to generalize about human behavior as it relates to society
This presentation describes the Evolution of Community Medicine from the word hygiene to public health to preventive and social medicine to community medicine . It is a very simple presentation which describes difference between doctor ,good doctor and a very good doctor. It also includes recent IAPSM ( INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF PREVENTIVE AND SOCIAL MEDICINE) definition of Community Medicine and what are the key functions of Community Medicine Specialist. it also describes concept of Socialized Medicine.
SOCIOLOGY & HEALTH ,SOCIOLOGY, DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND DISEASE ,FAMILY ,types of family, SOCIAL GROUPS,
TYPES OF SOCIAL GROUP, SOCIAL CLASS, WESTERN WAY OF DIVIDING SOCIETY ,OUR WAY OF DIVIDING SOCIETY,
GENDER ,CHILD REARING PRACTICE ,TYPES OF PARENTING,
Social Determinants and Global Health
Julius Global Health, Julius Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
For more information: www.globalhealth.eu
Health is a multifactorial
The factors which determine the health of an individual are many, some are inside the body ( genetic/ intrinsic) and some are outside the body ( environmental factors)
The interaction of these factors may either promote or deteriorate the health.
The important determinants of health are,
A presentation by Karen Nelson, MBA, MSW, RSW, of the Ottawa Hospital, made to social workers at their 2013 Annual Meeting. A very thorough overview with significant research supporting the link between Social Determinants of Health and healthcare outcomes.
The course is to a large extend considered satisfactory for the meant students as it offers the candidates the base line knowledge in social aspects of the health , social systems and their impact on health and /or illness
The course imparts the basic concepts and understanding in Sociological and Anthropological subject matter, theories, concepts, trends and cultural systems. The course aims to impart the basic concepts and the knowledge in medical sociology/anthropology, socialization in health, culture and health, provider consumer relationships in public health, indigenous health care system and alternative health care practices.
The Nature and Scope of Sociology include all the followings:
* The Sociological Perspective
*Seeing the Broader Social Context
*Foundation of Sociology
and many mores :)
Hope that this my Slides will help you to understand all the information :))
What is Industrial Sociology and Importance of Industrial sociology .
give detail about Growth In Service Sectors,Industrialization,Modernization,Urbanization
Abstract—Theories of sociology of health and illness defy the biomedical model of disease as many of them are ‘concerned with the social origins and influence on disease’ rather than pathological reasons only. There are five sociological perspectives of health and illness: Social Constructionism, Marxism, Feminism, Foucaulian analysis, and Functionalism. These different sociological perspectives were critically analyzed through this article as for better understanding of conceptualize management of health services Social Constructionism is a sociological perspective focus on the sociology of knowledge and reality. Marxism focuses on equity between social classes and emphasizes inequality in capitalist society. According to Marxism inequality of distribution healthcare services in capitalist society arise from the marginalization of some categories of the population who do not contribute to economic system. Feminist theory is to understand and explore the multiple and various reasons for inequalities between the genders. In the healthcare sector, feminists believe that healthcare organizations are hierarchical systems, where doctors (usually men) are at the top level while nurses (usually women) have a lower level of importance. Main areas that Foucault theory emphasizes are power, knowledge and discourse. Foucault believes that there is a relationship between power and knowledge. This relationship appears clearly in the health field, as medical professionals comprise a group of people who have special knowledge (medical knowledge) and they gain the power from this knowledge. Finally, functionalism is a sociological perspective that describes society as a system made up of ‘interconnected and interrelated parts’ and it highlights the relationships between different parts of society In conclusion, the five sociological perspectives provide holistic picture about conceptualization of healthcare systems.
From diagnosis to social diagnosisAuthor Phil Brown Mercedes Lys.docxshericehewat
From diagnosis to social diagnosis
Author Phil Brown Mercedes Lyson, Tania Jenkins
Abstract
In the past two decades, research on the sociology of diagnosis has attained considerable influence within medical sociology. Analyzing the process and factors that contribute to making a diagnosis amidst uncertainty and contestation, as well as the diagnostic encounter itself, are topics rich for sociological investigation. This paper provides a reformulation of the sociology of diagnosis by proposing the concept of ‘social diagnosis’ which helps us recognize the interplay between larger social structures and individual or community illness manifestations. By outlining a conceptual frame, exploring how social scientists, medical professionals and laypeople contribute to social diagnosis, and providing a case study of how the North American Mohawk Akwesasne reservation dealt with rising obesity prevalence to further illustrate the social diagnosis idea, we embark on developing a cohesive and updated framework for a sociology of diagnosis. This approach is useful not just for sociological research, but has direct implications for the fields of medicine and public health. Approaching diagnosis from this integrated perspective potentially provides a broader context for practitioners and researchers to understand extra-medical factors, which in turn has consequences for patient care and health outcomes.
Highlights
► “Social diagnosis” recognizes interplay between social structures and illness manifestations. ► Case study shows how Mohawk Akwesasne dealt with rising obesity. ► Provides broad context for practitioners and researchers to understand extra-medical factors.
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Keywords
Diagnosis
Risk
Social movements
Environment
Public health
USA
Canada
Reservations
Introduction
Sociological analysis of diagnosis has achieved considerable influence in the last two decades, providing important insight into how we understand health, disease, and illness. It has also expanded how we view the social and cultural influences that shape our knowledge and practice on health and illness. This includes studies of diagnosis that have gone beyond the interaction between physician and patient, to take into account the larger social, structural, and temporal forces that shape diagnosis (see, for example, the categorization of homosexuality as a mental disorder and the role of gay rights activists in the American Psychiatric Association’s deliberations) (Cooksey & Brown, 1998).
Recently we have also seen the emergence of diseases whose etiologies, symptoms, and, therefore, diagnoses, are often contested or uncertain. This combination of medical and social uncertainty leads us to propose a reformulation of the concept social diagnosis as a new way of thinking about the sociology of diagnosis. This paper explores social diagnosis by first, outlining a conceptual framework of social diagnosis; second, discussing the different acto ...
Topic Included -
Introduction
Definition
Nature and Scope of Sociology
Medical Sociology
Importance and application of Sociology in Nursing
Short and Easy to understand notes for B.Sc. Nursing students. Important questions are also included.
Health and social justiceJennifer Prah Ruger, PhDDepartm.docxpooleavelina
Health and social justice
Jennifer Prah Ruger, PhD
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven,
CT 06520, USA
4 years into the new millennium, the health of the world's citizens is remarkably uneven. A
child born today in Japan, for example, can expect to live to age 82 years on average,
whereas it is unlikely that a newborn infant in Zimbabwe will reach his or her 34th
birthday.1 Over several decades, scientific progress has expanded our ability to improve
human health, and many regions of the world have achieved significant health gains. Yet
extreme deprivation in health is still widespread. Resolving this predicament of major health
improvement in the midst of deprivation is one of the greatest global challenges of the new
millennium.
These health disparities exist in a world that is becoming more closely linked in all domains,
including health. The rapid spread and quick containment of severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS) demonstrates the interconnectedness of our world as well as any recent
health phenomenon. The same trend can be seen with HIV/AIDS and the potential to link
solutions and best practices studied in one part of the globe with persistent health problems
in another.
In the midst of such rapid global change and persistent health disparities, we need to revisit
and underscore the moral and philosophical foundations for health improvement activities—
to give them more forceful grounding and solidity. In this essay, I briefly survey some
traditional philosophies of justice and health care. I then offer an alternative view of justice
and health that is rooted in Amartya Sen's capability approach and Aristotle's political
theory, and discuss the implications of this approach for health improvement across the
globe.
Philosophical foundations
Theories of social justice (eg, fair and equitable treatment of people) have typically focused
on justifying health care (medicine and public health) as a special social good. Rationalising
greater equality in health care is typically the point of departure for most approaches to
medical ethics (bioethics), even for approaches that include health assessment. In general,
less attention has been paid to universal concerns of social justice with respect to health
itself. This essay focuses on the question of why health, as opposed to health care, has
special moral importance for social justice in health improvement activities. I also analyse
the implications of equity in health and health care.
Correspondence to: Dr Jennifer Prah Ruger, [email protected]
NIH Public Access
Author Manuscript
Lancet. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2014 May 01.
Published in final edited form as:
Lancet. 2004 September 18; 364(9439): 1075–1080. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(04)17064-5.
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Philosophical theories have been reluctant to give health (by contrast w ...
Espousal of social capital in Oral Health CareRuby Med Plus
Oral health is projected to be affected by the environment; to provide an understanding to this, the concept of social capital can be used. Social networking appears to be the rational in social capital in which there is ‘connections’ among individuals, a social network guided by a set of values and norms of trustworthiness and reciprocity among peoples’, groups, communities etc of the network. Putnam (1995) defines social capital as “coordination and co- operation for mutual benefit”. Hence it is not only a way of describing social relationships within a group or society, but also adds a social dimension to traditional structural explanations of disease by viewing communities not just as contextual environments, but also as connected groups of individuals.
The theory of social capital emphasizes multiple dimensions inside the concept. For example, social capital can be divided into a behavioral/activity component (for example, participation) and a cognitive/perceptual component (for example, trust). These are respectively being referred to as structural and cognitive social capital. . Structural and cognitive social capital can therefore refer to linkages and perceptions in relation to people who are akin to each other; such as people in one’s own community or people of alike socioeconomic status (referred to as bonding social capital), or to people who are poles apart; such as people outside one’s community or with a different social identity (known as bridging social capital). Social capital relations can also occur in ceremonial institutions such as between community and local government structures (termed linking social capital) .
Social capital is not a magic pill for improving society’s oral health but, it is a useful concept which focuses our attention on an important set of resources, inhering in relationships, networks and associations, which have previously been given insufficient attention in the social sciences and Dental literature. This is probably partly because they are not easy to categories, study and measure their effects quickly. The social capital perspective therefore broadcast us that if we normatively approve of the goal of enhancing population oral health, we cannot achieve this through material inputs alone, or simply through “technological fixes”, whether “forced” or magnanimously “approved” by those with superior resources. Social capital can contribute towards health promotion, in the extent to which it can be used for its strategic value; the concept can be carefully employed within wider health promotion practices which explicitly draw upon social justice, equity and empowerment principles . Social capital draws on solidarity within groups, communities, societies as well.
Medicalization of SocietyThe social construction of .docxbuffydtesurina
Medicalization of Society
The social construction of medical knowledge
*
Medicalization of SocietyDescribes a process whereby previously non-medical problems become defined and treated as medical problems, usually in terms of illness, disorders, and conditions. Some suggest that the growth of medical jurisdiction is one of the most significant transformations of the last half of the 20th century.
*
DefinitionThe term refers to the process by which certain events or characteristics of everyday life become medical issues, and thus come within the purview of doctors and other health professionals to engage with, study, and treat. The process of medicalization typically involves changes in social attitudes and terminology, and usually accompanies (or is driven by) the availability of treatments.
*
The prevalence of medicalization
Indicators:
percentage of gross national income increased from 4.5% in 1950 to 16% in 2006
# of physicians per population has doubled in that time frame, extending medical capacity
Jurisdiction of medicine has grown to encompass new problems not previously deemed ‘medical’
Examples: ADHD, eating disorders, CFS,PTSD, panic disorder, fetal alcohol syndrome, PMS, SIDS, obesity, alcoholism
*
Medicalization concerns itself with deviance and ‘normal life events’.Behaviors once defined as immoral, sinful, or criminal have been given medical meaning moving them from badness to sickness.Common life processes have been medicalized: including aging, anxiety and mood, menstruation, birth control, fertility, childbirth, menopause, and death.
*
Increasing MedicalizationNew categories of disease and drug therapies.Expanding/contracting medical categories.Elastic categories: Alzheimer Disease (AD) and the removal of age criteria led to AD encompassing senile dementia sufferers, sharply increasing the number of AD cases (now a top 5 cause of death in the US).Demedicalization whereby a problem is no longer defined as medical problem worthy of medical intervention (e.g. masturbation, homosexuality). Unsuccessful attempts include childbirth. Partial success includes disability.
*
Beyond Sociology…Numerous articles on medicalization in Medline search.British Medical Journal (2002) special issue on medicalization.PLoS Medicine (2006) devoted to ‘disease mongering’.President’s council on Bioethics dedicated session (2003).Seattle Times (2005) Suddenly Sick series.
*
Medicalization has gained attention beyond the social sciences.
Increased medicalizationNew epidemic of medical problems? Or,Is medicine better able to understand and identify and treat existing problems? Or, Are life’s problems increasingly defined as medical problems despite dubious evidence of their medical nature?
*
We’re not interested ncessarily in whether conditions are really medical or not, rather, we’re going to think of medical knowledge and the conditions which come to be understood as medical - as .
Latin american critical ('social') epidemiology new settings for an old dreamJim Bloyd, DrPH, MPH
Breilh, J. (2008). Latin american critical ('social') epidemiology: New settings for an old dream. International Journal of Epidemiology, 37(4), 745-50. doi:10.1093/ije/dyn135
The Indian economy is classified into different sectors to simplify the analysis and understanding of economic activities. For Class 10, it's essential to grasp the sectors of the Indian economy, understand their characteristics, and recognize their importance. This guide will provide detailed notes on the Sectors of the Indian Economy Class 10, using specific long-tail keywords to enhance comprehension.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
The Roman Empire A Historical Colossus.pdfkaushalkr1407
The Roman Empire, a vast and enduring power, stands as one of history's most remarkable civilizations, leaving an indelible imprint on the world. It emerged from the Roman Republic, transitioning into an imperial powerhouse under the leadership of Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE. This transformation marked the beginning of an era defined by unprecedented territorial expansion, architectural marvels, and profound cultural influence.
The empire's roots lie in the city of Rome, founded, according to legend, by Romulus in 753 BCE. Over centuries, Rome evolved from a small settlement to a formidable republic, characterized by a complex political system with elected officials and checks on power. However, internal strife, class conflicts, and military ambitions paved the way for the end of the Republic. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship and subsequent assassination in 44 BCE created a power vacuum, leading to a civil war. Octavian, later Augustus, emerged victorious, heralding the Roman Empire’s birth.
Under Augustus, the empire experienced the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and stability. Augustus reformed the military, established efficient administrative systems, and initiated grand construction projects. The empire's borders expanded, encompassing territories from Britain to Egypt and from Spain to the Euphrates. Roman legions, renowned for their discipline and engineering prowess, secured and maintained these vast territories, building roads, fortifications, and cities that facilitated control and integration.
The Roman Empire’s society was hierarchical, with a rigid class system. At the top were the patricians, wealthy elites who held significant political power. Below them were the plebeians, free citizens with limited political influence, and the vast numbers of slaves who formed the backbone of the economy. The family unit was central, governed by the paterfamilias, the male head who held absolute authority.
Culturally, the Romans were eclectic, absorbing and adapting elements from the civilizations they encountered, particularly the Greeks. Roman art, literature, and philosophy reflected this synthesis, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Latin, the Roman language, became the lingua franca of the Western world, influencing numerous modern languages.
Roman architecture and engineering achievements were monumental. They perfected the arch, vault, and dome, constructing enduring structures like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts. These engineering marvels not only showcased Roman ingenuity but also served practical purposes, from public entertainment to water supply.
Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacology:
Ethnobotany in herbal drug evaluation,
Impact of Ethnobotany in traditional medicine,
New development in herbals,
Bio-prospecting tools for drug discovery,
Role of Ethnopharmacology in drug evaluation,
Reverse Pharmacology.
We all have good and bad thoughts from time to time and situation to situation. We are bombarded daily with spiraling thoughts(both negative and positive) creating all-consuming feel , making us difficult to manage with associated suffering. Good thoughts are like our Mob Signal (Positive thought) amidst noise(negative thought) in the atmosphere. Negative thoughts like noise outweigh positive thoughts. These thoughts often create unwanted confusion, trouble, stress and frustration in our mind as well as chaos in our physical world. Negative thoughts are also known as “distorted thinking”.
Synthetic Fiber Construction in lab .pptxPavel ( NSTU)
Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
The Art Pastor's Guide to Sabbath | Steve ThomasonSteve Thomason
What is the purpose of the Sabbath Law in the Torah. It is interesting to compare how the context of the law shifts from Exodus to Deuteronomy. Who gets to rest, and why?
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
Basic phrases for greeting and assisting costumers
Sociology and application in public health
1. Shreejeet Shrestha(MPH, M.Sc)
Sociology and application in Public Health
Sociology as a discipline developed from theoretical writings of the nineteenth century and the
first half of the twentieth century. The predominant theories stem from the work of Karl Marx,
Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Talcott Parsons, Robert Merton, and James Coleman. The
influence of this rich theoretical foundation has manifested itself in major debates over the role
of sociology as a science. European and American perspectives on sociology as a science differ,
with the American perspective favoring sociology as a scientific discipline and emphasizing a
more quantitative methodological approach than the European approach.
KEY CONCEPTS IN SOCIOLOGY
Several key concepts in sociology relate to its role in public health. Foremost is the emphasis on
society rather than the individual. The individual is viewed as an actor within larger social
processes. This distinguishes the field from psychology. The emphasis is on units of analysis at
the collective level, such as the family, the group, the neighborhood, the city, the organization,
the state, and the world. Of key importance is how the social fabric, or social structure, is
maintained, and how social processes, such as conflict and resolution, relate to the maintenance
and change of social structures. A sociologist studies processes that create, maintain, and sustain
a social system, such as a health care system in a particular country. The scientific component of
this study would be the concern with the processes regulating and shaping the health care system.
Sociology assumes that social structure and social processes are very complex. Therefore its
methodology is appropriately complex and often, particularly in American sociology, dominated
by multivariate statistical methods of analysis. The advent of the computer in the second half of
the twentieth century presented the field with the opportunity to work with very large bodies of
data and complex variables.
MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY
Earlier social theorists, such as those noted above, did write on subjects of concern to medicine,
health, and illness, but medical sociology, as a subdiscipline of sociology, developed in the post-
World War II period. Early debates in medical sociology were concerned with the role of
sociology as it relates to medicine: Should the field be critical and analytical, concerning itself
with the sociology of medicine (i.e., examining how medicine works); or should it be largely
applied, focusing on sociology as a handmaiden for medicine? Like many such formative
debates, there could be no conclusive answer. However, the field has developed into two groups:
those (largely within academic settings) which focus on the sociology of medicine; and those
(primarily in schools of public health and governmental institutions) which focus on the
application of sociology to medicine. Later debates related to whether the focus should be on
health sociology or medical sociology. This debate has moved the field to a broader, more
ecological, view of medicine and health.
SOCIOLOGY IN PUBLIC HEALTH
2. Shreejeet Shrestha(MPH, M.Sc)
Public health has been and remains a very applied field. It is also characterized by a population-based
approach to health, and statistical methods are deemed the appropriate underlying method
for the field. It is viewed as a science that seeks to intervene, control, and prevent large-scale
processes that negatively affect the public's health. By these criteria, there is a strong logical fit
of sociological principles and practices within public health. Nonetheless, sociology has not been
the key social science discipline in public health. That position has gone to psychology, where
the emphasis on individual behavior resonates more with a biomedical model. Despite this, many
of the primary concerns of present-day public health, with large-scale variables such as social
capital, social inequality, social status, and health care organization and financing, remain topics
best suited to the sociological perspective and methodology. The emphasis in public health is
thus shifting toward a sociological perspective.
SOCIOLOGICAL CONCEPTS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Sociology in public health is reflected in the myriad of sociological concepts that pervade the
practice of public health. More than any other social science, sociology has the discussion of
socioeconomic status at its very core. Social-class variation within society is the key explanatory
variable in sociologyor everything from variation in social structure to differential life
experiences of health and illness. Indeed, there appears to be overwhelming evidence that
Western industrialized societies that have little variation in social class experience have far better
health outcomes than societies characterized by wide social-class dispersion. In short,
inequalities in health are directly related to social and economic inequalities. Much of later-twentieth-
century public health is devoted to the reduction of these inequalities.
SOCIOLOGICAL METHODS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Methodological concerns are critical to sociological research. The great debate in sociology has
been on the relative merits and role of quantitative versus qualitative approaches. Both
approaches are widely used and play a critical role for public health. Sociology has long
recognized that the social world comprises both an objective and a subjective reality. For
example, the objective reality of having cancer is accompanied by the subjective reality of the
experience of cancer by the patient, and the patient's family and friends. Both realities are
relevant to the sociological approach. The subjective, qualitative approach is generally discussed
in the theory and methods concerned with illness behavior, but qualitative approaches are equally
applicable to the understanding of social policy, world systems, and areas of sociology where
statistical measurement is difficult or less relevant.
Within public health, surveillance is seen as a key approach to describing the distribution and
dynamics of disease. In sociological approaches to public health, the role of social and
behavioral factors in health and illness is central. Survey methodology has occupied a central
place in sociological research since the middle of the twentieth century. The concern has been
with the collection, management, analysis, interpretation, and use of large quantities of data
obtained by direct interview with respondents. Social surveys are characterized by large random
samples, complicated questionnaires, and the use of multivariate statistics for analysis. By their
very nature, most sociological variables are complex to measure and to analyze. For example, the
3. Shreejeet Shrestha(MPH, M.Sc)
assessment of socioeconomic status of an individual requires the accurate measurement of
several variables that sit within a larger social context. Socioeconomic status (SES) is regarded
as a product of several components, including income, residence, education, and occupation.
Determining the relative weight of each of these components is a major analytical problem.
Thus, when considering the role of socioeconomic status on health care outcomes, there is no
easy answer to what mechanism actually works to determine the observed relationship between
SES and health.
SOCIOLOGY AND EVALUATION IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Because many sociological variables are at the socalled macro level, there is limited opportunity
to intervene rapidly, directly, or simply. For example, the SES of a group is affected by complex
components, such as education and occupation, that are part of the total life course of individuals
within the group. Thus, to change the SES of a group would require significant redistribution of
resources of the larger social structure. A significant period of time and concerted effort is
needed to change such macro variables. This is, however, not dissimilar to many other
challenges in public health, such as the long-term and time-consuming effort to change lifestyles
and reduce behavioral risk factors related to chronic diseases.
The chief role of sociology in public health remains its evaluation of those macro components of
society that affect public health at the population level. Such evaluations provide an
understanding of why inequalities in health exist, and they help elaborate upon the mechanisms
and processes that sustain these inequalities. This relates to the long-standing theoretical concern
with social structure among sociologists. Further, sociology reveals the mechanisms for long-term
changes that may lead to a reduction in health inequalities. The product of sociological
thinking in public health is not immediate nor easily understood by those who seek quick and
easy solutions to the suffering of humanity. Nonetheless, the long-term role of sociology in
public health is to change and improve the public health.