Employing a sociological and broader social sciences approach, this volume draws on a variety of contexts, including the COVID-19 pandemic, to explore wider trends in healthcare and the impact they may have on historically disadvantaged communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected those population sectors that experience inequality. Specifically, marginalized racial and ethnic populations with pre-existing health conditions, those living in poverty, those possessing a low education level, hourly wage employees, etc. have experienced an excess burden of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality compared to their White counterparts in developed countries. The interaction of the social determinants of health with a novel virus has made visible the inequities that have been hidden or accustomed to in many communities globally. As we work to end the current pandemic, we must consider the post-COVID-19 pandemic era and address the social determinants of health so that populations start from a place of health, as opposed to a place of disease for the next public health challenge. Syndemic research has demonstrated the interaction among socio-cultural factors, socio-economic factors, structural factors, and individual factors (collectively referred to as the social determinants of health) and infectious disease epidemics (e.g., COVID-19, AIDS) and social epidemics (e.g., structural racism). These interactions can exacerbate and sustain adverse health outcomes for marginalized populations. How can communities improve the social determinants of health for impoverished populations? The importance of doing so would have implications not only for the health status of communities but could also improve economic conditions for these geographic areas. Addressing the social determinants of health for marginalized populations has the potential to improve health for all.
This volume looks at the key links between social determinants, health disparities and health and health care. There is a particular focus on macro-level systems and micro-level issues, including the examination of issues for patients, carers and providers of care.
The anthrax incidents following the 9/11 terrorist attacks put the spotlight on the nation's public health agencies, placing it under an unprecedented scrutiny that added new dimensions to the complex issues considered in this report. The Future of the Public's Health in the 21st Century reaffirms the vision of Healthy People 2010, and outlines a systems approach to assuring the nation's health in practice, research, and policy. This approach focuses on joining the unique resources and perspectives of diverse sectors and entities and challenges these groups to work in a concerted, strategic way to promote and protect the public's health. Focusing on diverse partnerships as the framework for public health, the book discusses: The need for a shift from an individual to a population-based approach in practice, research, policy, and community engagement. The status of the governmental public health infrastructure and what needs to be improved, including its interface with the health care delivery system. The roles nongovernment actors, such as academia, business, local communities and the media can play in creating a healthy nation. Providing an accessible analysis, this book will be important to public health policy-makers and practitioners, business and community leaders, health advocates, educators and journalists.
This volume includes papers related to issues of technology, communication, health disparities and government options in health and health care services. It fills an existing gap by providing a clear sociological overview and focus on these topics.
This next volume in Research in the Sociology of Health Care covers a variety of important social factors and their relationship to health and health care inequities both in the United States and the rest of the world.
Social justice is a matter of life and death. It affects the way people live, their consequent chance of illness, and their risk of premature death. We watch in wonder as life expectancy and good health continue to increase in parts of the world and in alarm as they fail to improve in others.