Chapter 19 Henslin’s Sociology: A Down To Earth Approach Medicine Chapter 19 Henslin’s Sociology: A Down To Earth Approach

Sociology and the Study of Medicine What is the role of sociology in the study of medicine? Sociologists study medicine as a social institution. As practiced in the United States, three of its primary characteristics are; Professionalization Bureaucracy The profit motive

The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective What is the Symbolic Interactionist perspective on health and illness? Health is not only a biological matter; but also it is intimately related to society. Illness is also far from an objective matter, for illness is always viewed from the framework of culture. The definitions applied to physical and mental conditions vary from one group to another

The Functionalist Perspective What is the functionalist perspective on health and illness? Functionalists stress that in return for being excused from their usual, responsible activities, people have to accept the sick role. They must assume responsibility for seeking competent medical help and cooperate in getting well, so they can quickly resume normal activities

The Conflict Perspective What is the conflict perspective on health and illness? Health care is one of the scarce resources over which groups compete. On a global level, health care follows the stratification that we studied in Chapter 9. The best health care is available in the dominant nations, the worst in the dependent nations

Medicine in the U.S. In the American colonies, no training or licensing was necessary if one wanted to call oneself a doctor. Even until the early 1900s, medical training was a hit-or-miss affair. In 1910, the education of physicians came under the control of a group of men who eliminated most of their competition and turned medicine into a monopoly and the largest business in the United States.

Historical Patterns of Health How have health patterns changed over time? Patterns of disease in the United States have changed so extensively that of today's top ten killers, five did not even show up on the 1900 top ten list. Because most Americans live longer than their ancestors did, we can conclude that contemporary Americans are healthier. For mental illness, we have no idea how today compares with the past, for we have no baselines from which to make comparisons

Issues in Health Care How does treating health care as a commodity lead to social inequalities? Because health care is a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder, the United States has a two-tier system of medical care in which the poor receive inferior health care for both their mental and physical illnesses

What are some other problems in U.S. health care? One problem is defensive medicine, which refers to medical procedures that are done for the physician's benefit, not for the benefit of the patient. Intended to protect physicians from lawsuits, these tests and consultations add huge amounts to the nation's medical bill. Other problems are incompetence, depersonalization, conflict of interest, medical fraud, and sexism

Why is medically assisted suicide an issue now? Due to advanced technology, people can be kept technically alive even when they have no brain waves. Physicians who openly assist in suicides have come under severe criticism. Research findings on euthanasia in Holland have fueled this controversy.

What attempts have been made to cut medical costs? Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) are among the measures that have been taken to reduce medical costs. National health insurance, which has run into immense opposition, has been proposed. The most controversial proposal is to ration medical care.

What are some threats to the health of Americans? Threats to Health What are some threats to the health of Americans? 1. AIDS - is declining in the United States but is devastating countries in Africa 2. The globalization of disease 3. Alcohol and nicotine 4. Disabling environments 5. Unethical experiments Tuskegee syphilis experiments Cold War radiation experiments

HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa Global View of AIDS: HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa Background 28.5 million living with HIV/AIDS at end-2001 2.2 million deaths in 2001 3.5 million new infections in 2001 12 countries have infection rates of 10 percent or more among 15-49 year olds 11 million AIDS orphans in 2001; UNAIDS predicts 20 million by 2010

In Uganda: To date, 2 million have died of HIV AIDS 1 in 6 children have been orphaned 40 Million orphaned children by 2010 Whole villages wiped out… Cultural traditions lost as whole generations are dying Who is left to raise the children?

US Woman and AIDS:

In the US: As of June 2001, African Americans and Hispanics represented 51 percent of AIDS cases reported among males and 77 percent of those in females. As of June 2001, 58 percent of all women reported with AIDS are African American and 20 percent are Hispanic. African American children represent 58 percent of all pediatric AIDS cases. Of the 194 pediatric AIDS cases reported between July 2000 and June 2001, 163 (84 percent) were in African Americans and Hispanics. In 1999, AIDS accounted for an estimated 50 percent of deaths among African Americans and 18 percent among Hispanics. It is the leading cause of death among African-American men ages 25-44.

The Search for Alternatives Are there alternatives to our current health care system? The primary alternative discussed here is a change in focus from treatment to prevention. Other alternatives may be found by examining health care systems in other countries. Health care in Sweden, Russia, and China…

How will the practice of medicine change? The Future of Medicine How will the practice of medicine change? Genomics is going to change the face of medical practice. Knowledge of our genetic structure will allow designer medicines, the treatment of diseases before they appear, and the growth of replacement organs, including hearts ******