Medical Sociology Basics

Definition of Medical Sociology

• Medical sociology is concerned with the relationship between social factors and health
• It evaluates the macro components of society that affect public health at the population level
• It understands health inequality and reveals the mechanisms for long-term changes that may lead to a reduction in health inequalities

Variation in Disease Patterns with Changing Society

• In pre-agricultural society, diseases were prevalent due to lack of personal hygiene, excessive exposure to soil and dirt, and zoonotic diseases
• In agricultural society, the use of fire for cooking led to a decline in zoonotic diseases, but contamination of water from human waste increased the risk of infection
• In early industrial society, the rapid rise in population densities led to the spread of diseases like TB and occupational hazards
• In modern industrial society, technological advancements led to control of infectious diseases, and major public health problems shifted to obesity, degenerative diseases, and chronic diseases due to improved socio-economic conditions

Changing Society and Dental Diseases

• In pre-agricultural society, diet was non-refined, and attrition of teeth was severe
• In early industrial phase, the introduction of refined sugar led to a rise in dental caries in the rich and aristocratic families
• In modern industrial phase, the introduction of fluoridated toothpaste led to a decline in the incidence of dental caries

The Socio-Environmental Approach (Social Model)

• Concerned with socio-environmental factors improving population health rather than factors causing disease in individuals
• Forms the basis of health promotion strategies
• Five broad factors can be targeted to improve population health: social and economic environment, physical environment, personal health practices, and access to health services

Health and Social Factors

• A strong correlation exists between health and social characteristics, including social class, age, gender, and ethnicity
• Social classes and their reactions to dental care vary:
  • Upper middle class: value their teeth, interested in preventive dentistry, and actively pursue various types of dental care
  • Lower middle class: inclined to imitate the upper middle class, but their behavior is not necessarily motivated by the same consideration
  • Upper lower class: receive professional dental care, but acquire artificial dentures at a relatively early age
  • Lower class: reveal the most consistent neglect of teeth
• Age inequalities in health: aging is associated with limited financial resources, post-retirement, and social isolation, leading to limitations in accessibility to health services
• Gender inequalities in health: women generally have a greater number of consultations and admissions at hospitals, and the effect of gender on health depends on cultural and social norms of the society

Definition of Medical Sociology

• Medical sociology is concerned with the relationship between social factors and health
• It evaluates the macro components of society that affect public health at the population level
• It understands health inequality and reveals the mechanisms for long-term changes that may lead to a reduction in health inequalities

Variation in Disease Patterns with Changing Society

• In pre-agricultural society, diseases were prevalent due to lack of personal hygiene, excessive exposure to soil and dirt, and zoonotic diseases
• In agricultural society, the use of fire for cooking led to a decline in zoonotic diseases, but contamination of water from human waste increased the risk of infection
• In early industrial society, the rapid rise in population densities led to the spread of diseases like TB and occupational hazards
• In modern industrial society, technological advancements led to control of infectious diseases, and major public health problems shifted to obesity, degenerative diseases, and chronic diseases due to improved socio-economic conditions

Changing Society and Dental Diseases

• In pre-agricultural society, diet was non-refined, and attrition of teeth was severe
• In early industrial phase, the introduction of refined sugar led to a rise in dental caries in the rich and aristocratic families
• In modern industrial phase, the introduction of fluoridated toothpaste led to a decline in the incidence of dental caries

The Socio-Environmental Approach (Social Model)

• Concerned with socio-environmental factors improving population health rather than factors causing disease in individuals
• Forms the basis of health promotion strategies
• Five broad factors can be targeted to improve population health: social and economic environment, physical environment, personal health practices, and access to health services

Health and Social Factors

• A strong correlation exists between health and social characteristics, including social class, age, gender, and ethnicity
• Social classes and their reactions to dental care vary:
  • Upper middle class: value their teeth, interested in preventive dentistry, and actively pursue various types of dental care
  • Lower middle class: inclined to imitate the upper middle class, but their behavior is not necessarily motivated by the same consideration
  • Upper lower class: receive professional dental care, but acquire artificial dentures at a relatively early age
  • Lower class: reveal the most consistent neglect of teeth
• Age inequalities in health: aging is associated with limited financial resources, post-retirement, and social isolation, leading to limitations in accessibility to health services
• Gender inequalities in health: women generally have a greater number of consultations and admissions at hospitals, and the effect of gender on health depends on cultural and social norms of the society

Test your knowledge of medical sociology, including the relationship between social factors and health, and the role of sociology in public health. Explore how sociology helps evaluate macro components affecting public health and understand health inequality.