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”