Health, Disease, and Deviance Quiz

Health and Disease

• Health is an ideal state of physical and mental well-being, a constant goal but not attainable.
• Good health is a prerequisite for human productivity and development.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being, and not merely the absence of disease" (1948).

Illness and Disease

• Disease is an objective term referring to diagnosable abnormalities in body systems or physiology.
• Illness is a subjective experience of mental and physical sensations that may or may not indicate disease.

Deviance

• Deviance is any behavior, belief, or condition that violates significant social norms within a particular society or group.
• Behavioral deviance can be intentional (e.g., robbing a bank) or unintentional (e.g., losing money in a casino).
• Illness or disability can lead to deviance when societal expectations are not met.

Health and Disease as Deviant Behavior

• Impairments, if permanent, can lead individuals to deviate from their normal social roles and expectations.
• Perceived inability to fulfill societal expectations, due to impairment, can lead to a sense of disability.
• Alterations in self-perception, after significant physical changes (e.g., hysterectomy or mastectomy), can be a cause for concern and deviation from societal norms.

Stigma

• Stigma is a concept with Greek origins, emphasized in Ancient Greece's focus on physical beauty.
• Physical disfigurement could lead to the perception of falling out of favor with the gods, resulting in social stigma.

Socio-Cultural Causes of Disease

• Causes of disease can be categorized into heredity, environment, lifestyle, socio-economic status, health services, education, and housing.

Heredity

• Certain diseases, such as epilepsy, mental retardation, diabetes, and various cancers, have genetic origins.
• Genetic factors can influence individual responses to drugs and metabolic changes.

Environment

• Environmental factors greatly influence physical, mental, and social well-being.
• Examples include housing conditions, access to clean water and sanitation, exposure to noise and pollution, psychological stress, support systems, and organization of health and social services.

Lifestyle

• Lifestyle reflects social values, attitudes, and activities, encompassing cultural and behavioral patterns.
• A significant component is personal habits like smoking, alcoholism, and others.
• Lifestyle choices are linked to common health problems such as heart disease, obesity, and lung cancer.

Socio-economic Conditions

• Economic status affects purchasing power, living standards, and access to healthcare.
• Lack of education is strongly correlated with poverty.
• Suitable employment and job satisfaction contribute to overall well-being.

Health Services

• Effective health services are crucial for improving population health.
• Examples include providing safe water, healthy environments, and other resources.

Education

• Education is essential for making informed health decisions.
• Educated individuals tend to live longer lives and have access to better employment opportunities, which include benefits (e.g., health insurance) and healthier working conditions.
• Education fosters social connections that impact overall health outcomes.

Income

• Income level directly correlates with health outcomes.
• Higher incomes are generally associated with better health and longer lifespans.

Housing

• Safe and adequate housing significantly impacts health.
• Neighborhood environment and factors like crime, pollution, and proximity to resources (e.g., grocery stores) influence well-being.