Sociology of Health and Healthcare - Essay Example

The Importance of Ageing and Health as a Sociological Area of Study I. Definition and Scope of Sociology Sociology deals with the study of social life, society, social change, and the social basis and consequences of human behavior (What is Sociology, 2006). It enables us to understand the dynamism of society where different elements interact with each other causing changes in behavioral patterns and creating influences which have major impacts in social processes. Sociology looks into the structure of societies or communities, groups, and organizations with the aim of investigating and analyzing the way people interact within the structures. These forms of social structure along with social categories such as age, class, race and sex, and social institutions like the economy, politics and religion affect human behaviors or actions, attitudes, and the available opportunities. Sociology maintains a belief that the way individuals act, the challenges they face, the opportunities open to them, and the path they choose to tread are not just dependent on their personal or individual efforts, but are likewise greatly determined by society. Aside from being distinct individuals, each person is a social being and an integral part of the society. Each person is influenced by culture and the norms of the members of the society. The immediate family has the greatest influence because of proximity and exposure. Other significant influences include the peer group, ethnic group, the social or economic class grouping, and gender affiliation. This is not however to discount the fact that individuals have the ultimate control of their lives, but this control is a reflection of who and how the person is within a societal context. Society generally shapes human behavior like the way people react and respond to events and circumstances, the way people deal with crisis, the way people perceive and understand the attitudes and actions of other people within and outside of their community. The doors of opportunity are opened or closed depending on the dictates of society based on age, gender, race or economic status. Sociology explores how individuals and groups build, sustain and change social organization in a variety of ways. It studies the sources and outcomes of change in social processes and institutions, and it examines the fulfillment and difficulties of planning, achieving and adapting to the change. Sociology looks at how people interact with each other in relation to the different aspects of society and the different societal institutions. It aims to analyze the degree to which individuals attain optimum growth and development through the policies and programs of the different institutions and the constraints in the attainment of this development like social inequality, which are present in society. It also aims to determine how the aspects of society like gender, age, economic capability, health condition, race, and religion bring forth advantages or disadvantages to certain individuals or groups. The study of social dynamics include topics in values, culture, socialization, cooperation, conflict, exchange, power, inequality, social control, order, deviance, social change, and violence (Whati is Sociology, 2003). Sociology encompasses the study of all human relationships, groups, societies and institutions. The scope covered by the field of sociology include class, gender, age, ethnicity, sexuality, social inequality, the family, work, the mass media, religion, the environment, organizations, the body, health and illness, and the national and global economy (What aspects of society and social life do sociologists study). II. A Focus on the Health and Ageing Area of Study in Sociology Sociology has several areas of study all dealing with social interactions in different areas of society and everyday living, and the basis and consequences of these interactions. One area of study is Health and Ageing. The Health and Ageing field of study aims to identify and analyze the basis, effects and influences of culture, social institutions, and the social structure in the general advancement of health and the ageing population. This area of study explores the social components of health and ageing, including the health care system. These components include both mental and physical health from infancy until old age, the issues on family, work and policy related to the social system of ageing and the ageing society, educational and labor force adjustments, and the formation of identity outside of adolescence (Health, Aging and Life-Course Transitions , 2007). The Health and Ageing field touches on general topics like health institutions, age norms, family transition, health behaviors based on gender and race differences, and the effects of inequality stemming from gender and race to mental health. More specific subject matters focus on the correlation between health and relationships with family, health and labor participation issues, programs on public insurance for the elderly, and the basis and consequences of unequal access to the health care system. The field also studies the social causes of diseases, the role of health professionals, the relationship between patients and doctors, health and health care status of women and people affected by poverty, and existing significant health care problems or crisis. The social factors instrumental or which contributed to the development of psychological and physical disorders and deviant behaviors are likewise looked into. Ageing refers to the process that includes growth and development of living organisms. Ageing depend on the genes of the person, his or her lifestyle, and environmental influences (Gothelf, 2001). Ageing may refer to both the physical and psychological or mental state of a person. A sociological way of studying ageing is to determine the social factors which are contributory to the body changes, and the development of diseases or illnesses. Another social aspect which is sociologically identified pertains to the state of mind or attitude towards ageing which manifests in how individuals face opportunities and challenges presented to them in later life. Social forces which affect ageing like the accessibility, quality and cost of health care, the social perception of the physical and mental capabilities of the elderly, the labor conceptions and policies on elderly workers, the health benefits afforded to the elderly by both public and private institutions, and the familial and peer support given to individuals in old age are all explored and evaluated. The Health and Ageing field of study does not merely identify and dissect the causes, influences, and consequences of social perceptions, behaviors and actions in relation to health and ageing, but more importantly it also provides information on matters pertaining to coping and accepting the effects of ageing, the necessity for sensitivity in dealing with the matter and the persons involved, the impact of aging on the immediate and extended family, and the nurturing of the qualities of respect and understanding. III. Importance and Relevance of the Health and Ageing Area of Study to the Field of Sociology The field of Sociology aims to understand the dynamics of social interactions within societies, communities or groups. Social relations or exchanges among the members of society are best analyzed if all the aspects of society are considered. In this regard, Health and Ageing is one very important facet of an individual's life. It is also a very important part of the growth of a community, and the state of health and the circumstances of ageing in a society reflect the perceptions, attitudes, behaviors and lifestyles of its members. Sociology takes into account the importance of social class in understanding the relationship between health and society, and it examines class inequalities in a society which leads to possible disparity in health care accessibility and treatment among social classes. The area of Health and Ageing is not only limited to the medical field. It is not all physiological or biological. There is a need of a thorough understanding of the behaviors and expectations associated with health, illness and old age. Social events or phenomena and social relationships are the keys to attaining this. One such social relationship is between the patient and the medical practitioner. The way the patient and the doctor or medical practitioner regard the importance of health and health care, and the power relationships existing between the society and medical profession determine the perceptions and values of a society. The functions of health organizations and the kind of health policies in existence also reflect the degree to which members of a society value health and health care. With an increased quality and standard of living in most countries due to the emergence of technology, alternative lifestyles and wellness activities and facilities, the elderly population has grown significantly. Individuals who are seventy five years of age and older comprise the age-group with the fastest growth statistics within the ageing population, and they are one of the heaviest consumers of services relating to health and health care (Collins, 2006). The field of Sociology looks into this demographic by analyzing the social patterns contributory to the rapid growth of the elderly population. One of the most important challenges facing policy-makers and health care systems nationally and internationally is responding to the aging population's health needs. In order to address this problem or dilemma, it is vital that the social effects of existing policies and systems or procedures pertaining to health services be analyzed and evaluated. It is not enough to focus in the provision of health treatments and health facilities, but it is important to assess the opportunities available to the elderly population in terms of financial, legal and social aspects of their lives. It is essential to study the way the other members of society treat and regard the elderly in order to identify factors which aid in healthier ageing or which are detrimental to the ageing process. Opportunities available to the elderly population in terms of labor give them the chance to be productive for a longer period of time. This allows them to possess more funds to cover the cost of health care in the later stages of their lives. Several countries have combined private and public systems to create a financing system dedicated to health services (HEALTH AND AGEING, 2003). The study of Sociology would be incomplete without the area of Health and Ageing. This field is essential to a better understanding of how a society functions, how people relate to each other in terms of age, how life stages affect personal and social relations, how health issues affect the dealings or affairs in a society or community, how social systems and classes affect the provision of health care, and how social norms and behavioral patterns affect the physical and mental health conditions of the members of society. References Collins, C. (2006, Dec 7). Health and Aging. Retrieved Sep 29, 2007, from The University of Western Ohio: http://www.uwo.ca/fhs/health_rehab_sci/fields.html#Health%20and%20Aging Gothelf, E. J. (2001, May 1). Introduction: What Is Aging Retrieved Sep 29, 2007, from Netwellness: http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/aging/introduction.cfm HEALTH AND AGEING. (2003). Retrieved Sep 29, 2007, from Geneva Association: http://www.genevaassociation.org/health_and_ageing.htm Health, Aging and Life-Course Transitions . (2007, Feb 16). Retrieved Sep 29, 2007, from The University of Western Ontario: http://sociology.uwo.ca/Grad/prospective/areas.html What aspects of society and social life do sociologists study (n.d.). Retrieved Sep 29, 2007, from University of Limerick: http://www.ul.ie/sociology/whatis.html What is Sociology (2006, Feb 28). Retrieved Sep 28, 2007, from American Sociological Association: http://www.asanet.org/cs/root/topnav/sociologists/what_is_sociology Whati is Sociology (2003, Dec 30). Retrieved Sep 29, 2007, from Dartmouth College: http://www.dartmouth.edu/socy/intro.html Read More