What Is Health Sociology?

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The concept of health sociology involves examining the social trends and patterns in health and illness which varies in different social groups and populations. For the reflection of the complexity of social aspects and the communities with the different health characteristics result in the development of health sociology. This essay will discuss how two major sociological theories, Functionalism and Weberianism, that illustrate the different perspectives on interpreting a variety of health problems by utilising the concept of the social determinants of health and investigate what contribute the viewpoint of health professionals’ knowledge and their practices on health and disease. It also illustrates on how the health sociology is contradistinguished from a medical model.

All medical professionals should have a greater understanding of the external social effects that comes from different social backgrounds of the patient in order to initiate and deliver the best care possible to the patient (Matthews, 2015). Health sociology studies these health issues and its relationship between the individuals within the society which aims attentions at the cause of the …show more content…

Understanding the social determinants of health in the context of health sociology, such as socio-economic status, levels of education, race, gender, age, and geographical location of the individuals, therefore, play an important part in shaping health and healthcare system. Acknowledging sociological knowledge would allow healthcare professionals to reflect their actions towards the patient from diverse social background and ultimately promoting lifestyle changes or modifying behaviours for better health outcomes for the patient (Davis & Chapa, 2015; McMurray & Clendon, 2011; McPerson,

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