Is Health a Social Problem
I love my body
A perspective influences how you:
Identify (pinpoint)
See (frames)
Analyze (causes &
consequences)
understand
Value & attitude
Talk about with
others (discourse)
Act (solutions)
Definition of Social Problem
Defining social problems in terms of the 3 paradigms:
a social problem: is a condition or pattern of behavior that:1. contradicts some other condition or pattern of
behavior and is defined as incompatible with the desired quality of life
2. is caused, facilitated, or prolonged by factors that operate at multiple levels of social life
3. involves intergroup conflict and4. requires social action to be resolved
Why health issue is social problem
Illnesses• Physical illness
– Chronic diseases– Infectious diseases
• Mental illness
Health care• Availability• Costs • Deinstitutionalization• Inadequate care (errors)• Maldistribution of medical
care
Conclusion
Nature of the problem• Care• Illnesses; Cure
Relationship with definition• Health can infringe on the
desired quality of life• is caused, facilitated, or
prolonged by factors that operate at multiple levels of social life
• involves intergroup conflict and
• requires social action to be resolved
Let’s look at classical perspectives again
Symbolic interactionism
Structural functionalism
Conflict theory
Social Constructionism
Analysis local situation
• Care• Cure
Symbolic interactionism
Structural functionalism
Conflict theory
Social Constructionism
Contributing factors (global perspective)
• Life style• Gender• Occupational roles• Interaction and socialization• Industrial Economy• Politics of illness
Raj_Panjabi Post conflict
Normative approaches
Normative approaches to social problems
• These are more normative frameworks for the approach of social problems.
• These approaches have an ideal as objective (Utopia? Universalism?). They want to catalyze social change.
• They have a strong emphasis on human development, quality of life, sustainability and equality for all,
• Advocacy, activism, influence on policies, they want to change the social structure that reproduces social inequality
Normative frameworks:
• Human-Rights based approached• Basic Needs Approach• Human Development and Capability Approach
(HDCA)
New ideas towards health
• Prevention• Health care reform; need for universal
coverage and cost effective• Ongoing innovations• Holistic approach• Capability of individual• Relationship health and wealth
Local context
• Central Bureau of Statistics; www.cbs.aw• Nationaal plan Aruba 2009-2018; see p.7& 8• Wit Gele Kruis Aruba; www.witgelekruisaruba
.org• Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospitaal;
www.arubahospital.com • AZV Aruba: www.azv.aw
Look at
1. Life expectancy2. Chronic diseases in Aruba3. Childhood obesity4. Cost medical care Aruba5. New health care approaches in Aruba6. Which premises are used in the “National plan”